IonQ completed the acquisition of Zero Trust security company Elisity, combining post-quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution and Zero Trust technology into a single platform. The move expands IonQ’s ability to serve enterprise and government clients facing evolving quantum threats, building on Elisity’s existing deployments with over 100 organizations. Elisity will continue to operate under its current leadership, supporting existing customers while integrating with IonQ’s quantum solutions.
Elisity Platform Integrates Zero Trust with Quantum Security
Elisity’s IdentityGraph correlates identity, asset and risk information from existing sources to refine access decisions, a capability now integrated with IonQ’s quantum security offerings. This correlation informs how IonQ’s cryptography and quantum key distribution solutions are deployed, prioritizing protection against evolving “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks. The combined platform aims to address vulnerabilities before quantum computers become powerful enough to break current encryption standards, offering a proactive security posture for sensitive data. Elisity’s software policy layer enforces access rules independently of network technology, adding a layer of abstraction that enhances overall system resilience.
The acquisition extends IonQ’s reach into established enterprise environments, using Elisity’s footprint of over 100 deployments and relationships with Chief Information Security Officers. “Our global customers depend on us to protect their networks every day,” said James Winebrenner, Chief Executive Officer of Elisity. “Building on what we’ve learned across more than 100 deployments, we’ll extend the Elisity platform customers already use to help them prepare for cryptography.” Elisity’s existing deployments and identity policies will continue uninterrupted, ensuring a smooth experience for current users.
IonQ intends to combine Elisity’s Zero Trust framework with its own quantum-resistant technologies to create a unified security architecture. “Enterprise and government organizations will now be able to draw on one security architecture to contain attacks operating at machine speed today, and protect sensitive information against future quantum threats.” The integration is designed to provide both immediate protection against conventional cyber threats and long-term resilience against quantum-enabled attacks.
The financial terms of the acquisition include $1.15 billion in IonQ common stock issued at closing, with potential for an additional $150 million in performance-based consideration through January 2028. Elisity, founded in 2019, maintains a global employee base and a growing roster of Fortune 500 clients, positioning it as a key player in the evolving field of cybersecurity, the company says. The company’s focus on securing non-human identities, such as AI agents, also aligns with the increasing complexity of modern IT environments.
The combined entity aims to offer a comprehensive security solution that addresses the full spectrum of threats, from conventional cyberattacks to the potential disruption posed by quantum computers. By integrating Zero Trust principles with quantum-resistant cryptography and key distribution, IonQ and Elisity seek to establish a new standard for data protection in the quantum era. “Joining IonQ gives our team the resources and scale to serve customers with the same focus we’ve always had,” Winebrenner said.
With the acquisition complete, IonQ now brings together post-quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution, and Zero Trust security in a single platform for the organizations that depend on it most.
Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IonQ
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