Today, ISA Cybersecurity announces a planned leadership transition years in the making. Kevin Dawson, ICD.D, will retire as President and CEO on December 31, 2026, after 28 years with the company and more than 12 at its helm. He hands the role to Andrew Buckles, who will become President and CEO on January 1, 2027, and lead the company’s next era of growth in security and AI.
From account executive to CEO
Kevin joined ISA Cybersecurity in 1998 as an account executive and continually worked his way up. In 2013, he and company founder Rick Uhrich began a four-year succession plan for him to become President and CEO. Rick died suddenly in September 2014, and Kevin took on the role three years earlier than planned. From day one, he was committed to carrying forward the values and culture Rick had built.
The next chapter
ISA Cybersecurity’s next President and CEO has deep ties to the company. Andrew joined ISA Cybersecurity in 2016 in a sales role, then went on to lead the company’s services team. Most recently, he has built ISA Cybersecurity’s AI practice from the ground up. In 2024, Kevin and Andrew began succession planning to take place gradually.
“Kevin has spent more than two years making sure this handover goes smoothly, with the same care he has shown our clients and our people for 28 years,” said Andrew. “I’m grateful for everything he has taught me. ISA Cybersecurity is in great shape, and I’m excited to build on the success he led.”
Kevin’s impact at ISA Cybersecurity
A catalyst for growth and innovation
As the cybersecurity industry evolved, Kevin expanded ISA Cybersecurity beyond reselling security products, adding the cyber services and consulting that are now at the heart of the business. He placed the emphasis on the advisory, engineering, and managed services that help organizations manage cyber risk every day, backed by a Canadian security operations centre, which he built, that watches over clients around the clock. In recent years he worked with Andrew Buckles to lead ISA Cybersecurity into AI, both in how it delivers security services and in how it helps customers adopt AI securely.
Leading with collaboration and compassion
Kevin has long described cybersecurity as a team sport, and he has built ISA Cybersecurity around that idea. He has championed an inclusive workplace, mentorship, and professional development, and held regular town halls with an open “ask me anything” segment. Olivia Purchase, Executive Vice President, People and Business Operations, says his open door meant all staff could bring him questions, ideas, or concerns and be heard. “He’s also created real room for career growth, encouraging me and others to stretch, take on new challenges, and develop our skills,” she says. “That kind of support is rare.”
When the war in Ukraine forced the company to close its European security operations centre, Kevin worked round-the-clock to keep the displaced staff safe and helped several of them move to Canada. Staff opened their homes to their colleagues, and many of them became close friends.
Kevin also made educating the next generation a priority at ISA Cybersecurity, through co-op placements, internships, and more than $100,000 in scholarships. That commitment extends beyond the company: he advises the cybersecurity programs of several Canadian universities and colleges, helping align what students learn with what employers need.
Canada’s cybersecurity community
Kevin is a founding member and now Chair of the TECHNATION Cybersecurity Taskforce, which brings industry and government together on talent, readiness, and emerging threats. His recent work there has looked at how boards and leaders stay accountable as AI takes on more responsibility inside organizations. He also serves on partner advisory councils for global security vendors.
Closer to home, he has been a fixture at the company’s annual charity golf tournament, which has raised more than $250,000 for Canadian charities over the years.
What comes next for Kevin
Kevin will stay on as a director on ISA Cybersecurity’s board. Having recently earned his ICD.D designation, Kevin also plans to bring his experience and expertise to other boards.
Kevin is excited about the prospect of spending more time with family and travelling the world.
“When I joined ISA Cybersecurity, our job was to help customers find the right tools to protect themselves,” said Kevin. “The tools have changed many times since then, and so have the threats. The purpose has stayed the same: keep people safe, so they can run their organizations and live their lives without worrying about cyber crime. I’ve been proud to do that work with a team I trust completely. ISA Cybersecurity is strong, its people are exceptional, and its focus on security and AI is right for what comes next.”