IonQ will acquire Zero Trust security firm Elisity in an all-stock transaction valued at up to $1.3 billion, pairing IonQ’s quantum cryptography with Elisity’s enterprise security platform. The acquisition aims to address current cyber threats and prepare customers for the approaching quantum era, a transition highlighted by recent White House directives.

Elisity has demonstrated significant growth, “doubling its revenue and its customer base year-over-year,” and brings a strong foothold in the more than $10 billion microsegmentation market. “With Elisity and its team as part of IonQ, we will be well positioned to help customers protect critical infrastructure,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ.

IonQ Acquires Elisity to Enhance Quantum Cybersecurity Capabilities

IonQ’s acquisition of Elisity directly addresses the escalating need for layered cybersecurity, integrating Zero Trust principles with emerging quantum defenses. This move aligns with a recent White House executive order from June 22, 2026, which prioritizes quantum innovation and the federal government’s transition to PQC standards. Elisity’s core offering, IdentityGraph, correlates identity, asset and risk information to enforce least-privilege access policies for users, devices and increasingly, AI agents.

Teams can simulate these policies before implementation, reducing attack surfaces and limiting the spread of potential breaches. By integrating IdentityGraph with IonQ’s cryptographic protections, the companies aim to offer a solution that not only safeguards sensitive data with PQC and QKD but also controls who and what can access it, creating a multi-layered defense.

The combined roadmap will extend IdentityGraph with cryptographic inventory and risk information, enhancing its capabilities for quantum-era security. The urgency of this integration is highlighted by the dual challenges enterprises currently face: containing attacks operating at machine speed and preparing for the long-term threat posed by quantum computers.

“Our customers need to prioritize cryptography initiatives while securing existing assets to keep essential operations running,” said James Winebrenner, CEO of Elisity. “With IonQ, we will be optimally positioned to partner with them to modernize their crypto-agility programs, accelerate cryptography capabilities while advancing their holistic Zero Trust posture and deploy hybrid-cybersecurity solutions today that are prepared for the quantum future.” Elisity’s existing customer base, exceeding 100 global deployments and including deep relationships with Chief Information Security Officers, provides IonQ with an expanded channel to market its quantum security offerings to both enterprise and government networks.

IonQ anticipates significant cross-selling opportunities, using Elisity’s established enterprise presence to introduce its PQC, QKD and broader quantum computing services. This acquisition builds upon IonQ’s existing momentum in quantum security, having already deployed quantum-safe national communications networks in Switzerland, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, and serving global customers with quantum-safe defense-in-depth solutions. In the second quarter of 2026, IonQ reported 40 percent year-over-year growth in multiproduct revenue, demonstrating customer demand for integrated quantum solutions.

The strategic rationale behind the acquisition extends beyond immediate security enhancements. As de Masi first stated, the arrival of Q-Day is coming much faster than predicted. He drew a parallel to the acquisition of SkyWater Technology, noting that Elisity will bring proven enterprise policy enforcement scale and deployment experience to IonQ’s quantum security strategy, establishing a strong growth platform for serving customers and creating shareholder value.

Elisity will continue operating under its current leadership, including CEO James Winebrenner, ensuring continuity for existing customers and partners. The company, founded in 2019, has a global employee footprint and a growing number of Fortune 500 clients, IonQ says. IonQ’s approach of investing in acquired technologies suggests a commitment to supporting innovation and building upon Elisity’s existing strengths, creating a synergistic relationship that addresses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. The transaction, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.