A U.S. federal agency is now securing 15 production sites with post-quantum cryptography without a full infrastructure overhaul, demonstrating an immediate path to quantum-safe security. The deployment of Quantum XChange’s Phio TX-EM solution addresses a mandate from Executive Order 14412, requiring compliance by December 31, 2030. “Federal agencies do not have the luxury of waiting for their next technology refresh to begin protecting sensitive data against the quantum threat,” said Eddy Zervigon, CEO of Quantum XChange, as the agency’s identity remains withheld due to the sensitive nature of its mission.
Phio TX-EM Enables Agency Compliance with Executive Order 14412
The agency completed full-site deployments of Phio TX-EM in as little as one hour across its 15 production sites, demonstrating a rapid implementation of post-quantum cryptography without extensive network overhaul. This speed was achieved by running the solution as a container on existing SKIP-enabled routers, bypassing the need for hardware replacements and minimizing disruption to ongoing operations.
The agency’s network, spanning locations in the United States and internationally, now benefits from added cryptographic protection while maintaining its current infrastructure investments. Beyond simply meeting the deadline, the agency gains crypto-agility, a critical feature allowing it to dynamically change cryptographic algorithms as new NIST standards emerge or as quantum threats evolve.
This adaptability is built into Phio TX-EM’s architecture, enabling algorithm changes without interrupting network traffic, a significant advantage over systems requiring extensive reconfiguration. The solution’s design also minimized the burden on the agency’s existing IT personnel. The team was able to deploy and manage Phio TX-EM using their current expertise, avoiding the need for specialized training in post-quantum cryptography. Phio TX-EM further supports multiple cryptographic algorithms, accommodating diverse security requirements across the agency’s global network.
Strong symmetric keys are delivered out-of-band, separate from the data transmission pathway, and ephemeral keys are generated and deleted from memory, enhancing security by eliminating storage vulnerabilities. “Agencies can add post-quantum protection to the infrastructure they already operate, preserve their existing investments and gain the crypto-agility they need to adapt as algorithms, standards and threats continue to evolve.” The agency’s approach preserves its ability to modernize its network infrastructure over time, allowing it to continue with planned hardware upgrades while simultaneously protecting against immediate quantum threats.
Phio TX-EM’s FIPS 140-3 and FIPS 203 validations further reinforce the agency’s commitment to robust security standards. This deployment is a strategic move to future-proof the agency’s network and safeguard its sensitive data in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Federal agencies do not have the luxury of waiting for their next technology refresh to begin protecting sensitive data against the quantum threat.
Eddy Zervigon, CEO of Quantum XChange
Source: https://quantumxc.com/press-releases/federal-agency-deploys-quantum-safe-security-phio-tx-em/
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