Eddy Zervigon, CEO of Quantum XChange, will address a growing and immediate threat to satellite security alongside government and industry experts at CyberSat 2026. Zervigon plans to highlight the danger of “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks, where current encrypted communications are intercepted in anticipation of future decryption by quantum computers.
“Satellite networks are increasingly critical to national security and essential services, but much of the infrastructure supporting them was built without considering current quantum threats,” Zervigon stated. The panel, “When Q-Day Meets Orbit: Quantum’s Growing Threat to Space Security,” will examine vulnerabilities in satellite communications and the need for proactive, crypto-agile defenses.
Quantum Threat to Satellite Communications at CyberSat 2026
This “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” tactic highlights the urgency for the space industry to adopt crypto-agile security strategies, allowing for encryption strengthening without disruptive infrastructure overhauls. Zervigon’s remarks came during a panel discussion examining vulnerabilities in satellite networks and ground infrastructure, highlighting a growing concern for both national security and essential services. Unlike terrestrial networks, satellites often remain deployed for extended periods, making post-launch upgrades difficult and expensive.
Ground infrastructure, supporting multiple satellite generations, further complicates the transition to cryptography. Quantum XChange proposes a solution through its Phio TX platform, a FIPS-validated system enabling unified policy control over multiple key sources, including cryptography and quantum key distribution.
This architecture allows organizations to adapt cryptographic methods as threats evolve without requiring application rewrites or network disruptions, the company says. “Adversaries are already harvesting encrypted communications to decrypt later,” Zervigon said.
“The space industry needs to act now to protect these networks, building crypto-agility into their security strategies so they can strengthen encryption without replacing existing infrastructure or disrupting mission-critical operations.” The discussion also explored the vital role of government policy and industry collaboration in accelerating the adoption of cryptography, particularly in securing the complex interplay between space and ground-based systems. Dr. Lisa Costa of Costa Advisory Group moderated the panel, joined by Richa Hukumchand, founder and CEO of Pramatra Space and Dr. Celia Merzbacher, executive director of the.
Satellite networks are increasingly critical to national security and essential services, but much of the infrastructure supporting them was built without today’s quantum threats in mind.
Eddy Zervigon, CEO at Quantum XChange
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