Canada’s higher education institutions are increasingly digitized ecosystems, housing sensitive student, faculty, and research data. Protecting these networks, systems, and data is critical for operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and digital trust. The following leaders exemplify the growing prominence of cybersecurity in Canadian universities, blending technical expertise with strategic leadership to safeguard some of the country’s most prestigious academic institutions.
Donna Kidwell — Chief Information Officer, University of Toronto
Donna Kidwell serves as the Chief Information Officer at the University of Toronto, overseeing campus-wide technology, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and infrastructure. Between May 2024 and October 2024, she also served as CISO and Deputy CIO, guiding security strategy during a key transition period. Donna champions digital trust, mentorship, and collaborative innovation, shaping the university’s technology culture. Her work spans global initiatives in innovation and entrepreneurship, ensuring safe, secure, and trustworthy digital experiences for students, researchers, and staff. She actively engages in CIO boards, OUCCIO, CUCCIO, and international learning forums to advance cybersecurity and IT leadership.
Larry Carson — Chief Information Security Officer, University of British Columbia
Larry Carson leads information security at UBC, providing policy guidance, standards, awareness programs, and team leadership to protect the university’s digital ecosystem. He manages a team of cybersecurity experts in a high-risk academic environment and works to position UBC as a leader among post-secondary institutions. Larry’s strategic leadership ensures data integrity, privacy, and resilience against emerging cyber threats, while cultivating a security-conscious culture across faculty, staff, and students.
Gordie Mah — Chief Information Security Officer, University of Alberta
Gordie Mah protects the University of Alberta’s digital assets and leads initiatives to combat cyber threats, including phishing and online scams. Recognized as an expert in IT security, he emphasizes vigilance, education, and proactive security measures. Gordie has implemented campus-wide programs to secure sensitive data, educate the university community, and strengthen the institution’s cybersecurity posture, establishing the university as a model for digital risk management in higher education.
Tracy Dallaire — Director CTO & Director Information Security Services, McMaster University
Tracy Dallaire develops and delivers McMaster University’s Information Security Strategy and Roadmap, ensuring confidentiality, availability, and integrity of student, faculty, and university information. She leads initiatives in prediction, prevention, detection, and resilience to protect institutional data. Tracy fosters collaboration across university departments to implement security policies, develop awareness programs, and strengthen IT operations, aligning cybersecurity with McMaster’s academic mission.
Colin Couchman — Chief Data Officer, Western University
Colin Couchman combines over 25 years of IT leadership with cybersecurity experience, having served as Director of IT & CISO at Western University from 2018 to 2021. He oversees data governance, identity management, IT governance, and digital strategy, bridging communication between technical teams and university leadership. Colin’s leadership ensures secure, compliant, and efficient information systems, supporting research, teaching, and administrative operations across the campus.
Hassane Oumsalem — Senior Director of Cybersecurity & Chief Information Security Officer, Université de Montréal
Hassane Oumsalem leads cybersecurity at Université de Montréal, managing enterprise security strategy and operations. Since 2022, he has served as Sr. Director of Cybersecurity & CISO, after a four-year tenure as CISO. His career includes senior roles at Hitachi Systems Security, where he managed cybersecurity operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. Hassane is recognized for developing robust security frameworks, leading international teams, and integrating security with academic IT operations to protect sensitive research and institutional data.
Mathieu Bertrand — Chief Information Security Officer, University of Ottawa
Mathieu Bertrand has been CISO at the University of Ottawa since 2023, after serving as interim CISO in 2022. He emphasizes collaboration, communication, and agility in cybersecurity leadership, fostering a culture of trust and continuous improvement. Mathieu’s approach includes mentoring, breaking down silos, and leveraging staff expertise to enhance security posture. He prioritizes protecting university data, supporting research, and empowering students and faculty through secure digital infrastructure.
Securing the Future of Canadian Higher Education
Cybersecurity leadership in Canadian universities is crucial for protecting intellectual property, student information, and research data in a rapidly evolving digital environment. The CISOs highlighted here combine strategic vision, technical expertise, and leadership skills to strengthen institutional resilience, foster digital trust, and ensure safe, reliable IT systems. Their work safeguards academic communities, enabling research, learning, and innovation to flourish across the nation’s post-secondary landscape.