Professor Mohammad S. Obaidat is an internationally well known academic/researcher/ scientist. He received his Ph.D. and M. S. degrees in Computer Engineering with a minor in Computer Science from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Dr. Obaidat is currently a tenured full Professor of Computer Science at Monmouth University, NJ, USA. Among his previous positions are Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Director of the Graduate Program at Monmouth University and a faculty member at the City University of New York. He has received extensive research funding and has published about three hundred (300) refereed technical articles in scholarly international journals and proceedings of international conferences. He is the author of the book entitled: "Fundamentals of Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunications Systems," to be published by John Wiley & Sons in 2004 and co-author of the book entitled, "Security of e-based Systems" to be published by Cambridge University Press in 2004. He is the co-author of the Best Selling Book, "Wireless Networks" and "Multiwavelength Optical LANs" published by John Wily & Sons (2003). Obaidat is the editor of the book, APPLIED SYSTEM SIMULATION: Methodologies and Applications, published by Kluwer in 2003. Professor Obaidat has served as a consultant for several corporations and organizations worldwide. Mohammad is the chief editor of the International Journal of Communication Systems published by John Wiley. He is also a Technical Editor of Simulation: Transactions of the Society for Modeling and Simulations (SCS) International TSCS. Obaidat is an associate editor/ editorial board member of seven other refereed scholarly journals including two IEEE Transactions, Elsevier Computer Communications Journal, Kluwer Journal of Supercomputing, SCS Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation, Elsevier Journal of Computers and EE, and International Journal of Information Technology. He has guest edited numerous special issues of scholarly journals such as IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, SMC, SIMULATION: Transactions of SCS, Elsevier Computer Communications Journal, Journal of C & EE, and International Journal of Communication Systems. Obaidat has served as the steering committee chair, advisory Committee Chair and program chair of many international conferences including the 1995 IEEE Int'l Conference on Electronics, Circuits and Systems, ICECS’95, and 1996 IEEE International Phoenix Conference on Computers and Communications, IPCCC'96, 1997 IEEE Int’l Performance, Computing and Communications Conference, IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications and Networks, C3N'97, 1997 SCS Summer Computer Simulation Conference, SCSC'97, SCSC98-SCSC2005, 1998 International Symposium on Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunication Systems, SPECTSS'98, SPECTS99-SPECTS2005, International Conference on Parallel Processing, ICPP'01, EGCDMA'04, JICCSE2004, He is the founder of the International Symposium on Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunication Systems, SPECTS and has served as the General Chair of SPECTS since its inception. Obaidat has received a recognition certificate from IEEE. Between 1994-1997, Obaidat has served as distinguished speaker/visitor of IEEE Computer Society. Since 1995 he has been serving as an ACM distinguished Lecturer. Between 1996-1999, Dr. Obaidat served as an IEEE/ACM program evaluator of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board/Commission, CSAB/CSAC. Obaidat is the founder and first Chairman of SCS Technical Chapter (Committee) on PECTS (Performance Evaluation of Computer and Telecommunication Systems). Between 1995-2002, he has served as a member of the board of directors of the Society for Computer Simulation International. Between 2002-2004, He has served as Vice President of Conferences of the Society for Modeling and Simulation International SCSI. Prof. Obaidat is currently Vice President of Membership of the Society for Modeling and Simulation International SCSI. He has been invited to lecture and give keynote speeches worldwide. His research interests are: wireless communications and networks, performance evaluation of computer systems, algorithms and networks, telecommunications and Networking systems, high performance and parallel computing/computers, applied neural networks and pattern recognition, information and computer security, security of e-based systems, and speech processing. Recently, Prof. Obaidat has been awarded a Nokia Research Fellowship and the distinguished Fulbright Scholar Award. He is currently on sabbatical leave as Fulbright Professor and Advisor to the President of Philadelphia University for Research, Development and Information Technology, Jordan. Prof. Obaidat is a Fellow of the Society for Modeling and Simulation International SCSI, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Title of the IWWST 2005 presentation
"Trends and Challenges in Wireless Networks Security"

Abstract
Wireless networks have witnessed tremendous growth in recent years that made them one of the fastest growing segments in telecommunications and networking technology/industry. This is due to the many advantages of such systems, particularly the 3-A paradigm characteristic: communications any way, any time and with any one.
Wireless local area networks (WLANs), Bluetooth and Home RF systems, cellular networks, fixed wireless access systems, satellite networks and others are all wireless systems that have been accepted widely worldwide. These systems have been deployed in various types of locations, including homes, schools, airports, business offices, government buildings, military facilities, disaster sites, coffee shops, book stores, as well as many other venues.
One of the chief advantages of wireless networks, especially WLANs, is their ability to provide proper connectivity to portable devices, such as wireless laptops and PDAs. In such cases, WLANs are implemented as a feasible last-mile technology that connects homes and offices in remote locations to the universal Internet. The more prevalent deployment of wireless systems, however, depends heavily on whether secure connection can be guaranteed. This means that in order to be able to deliver critical data and services over wireless systems, a sound level of security must be assured.
Whilst wireless networks suffer from the same risks as wired networks, they are susceptible to additional risks as well. Wireless networks send data through radio frequencies, and are exposed to intruders unless protected. Attackers have broken this openness to access systems, damage/steal data, and initiate attacks that waste network resources and refuse service to legitimate users.
This keynote speech aims at presenting the recent trends and challenges in the security of wireless networks. We will also review some of our recent efforts in this area.