QuSecure, Inc., a company specializing in post-quantum cryptography (PQC), has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by AFWERX. The contract is aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The DAF will utilize QuSecure’s QuProtect, a PQC software-based solution designed to protect encrypted communications and data with quantum resilience using quantum secure channels.
Streamlining the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Process
The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have collaborated to streamline the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process. This is achieved by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, expanding opportunities to small businesses, and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. QuSecure has previously won similar SBIR contract awards from the U.S. Army in 2023 (Phase II SBIR) and the U.S. Government in 2022 (Phase III SBIR).
QuSecure’s Role in Enhancing Cybersecurity
Garrison Buss, QuSecure Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, expressed pride in being part of the Department of the Air Force’s efforts toward a more cybersecure future. The award from the Air Force recognizes QuSecure’s ability to enhance the combat fighting capabilities necessitated by modern warfare.
U.S. Government’s Move Toward a Quantum-Safe Future
The U.S. Government’s urgency to move toward a quantum-safe future has been established with recent actions taken by Congress and the White House. The Endless Frontiers Act established a Technology and Innovation Directorate at the National Science Foundation to use $100 billion in federal funds over five years to research emerging technologies including quantum computing. In December 2022, President Biden signed into law the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, which requires the Office of Management and Budget to prioritize federal agencies’ migration to IT systems using post-quantum cryptography.
QuSecure’s QuProtect Software
QuSecure’s QuProtect software enables organizations to leverage quantum-resilient technology. It provides quantum-resilient cryptography, anytime, anywhere and on any device including network, cloud, IoT (Internet of Things), edge devices, and satellite communications. QuProtect software uses an end-to-end quantum-security-as-a-service architecture that addresses the digital ecosystem’s most vulnerable aspects, uniquely combining zero-trust, next-generation post-quantum-cryptography, crypto agility, quantum-strength keys, high availability, easy deployment, and active defense into a comprehensive and interoperable cybersecurity suite.
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. AFWERX, the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF.
QuSecure is a company specializing in post-quantum cybersecurity. Its mission is to protect enterprise and government data from quantum and classical cybersecurity threats. Its QuProtect solution is a PQC software-based platform designed to protect encrypted communications and data with quantum-resilience using a quantum secure channel.
“Following winning our previous two SBIR awards, QuSecure is proud to be a part of the Department of the Air Force’s efforts toward a more cybersecure future,” said Garrison Buss, QuSecure Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer. “This award from the Air Force recognizes QuSecure’s ability to help enhance the combat fighting capabilities necessitated by modern warfare.”
Summary
QuSecure, a post-quantum cryptography firm, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to develop cybersecurity solutions that are resilient to quantum threats. This move is part of the U.S. Government’s broader efforts to prepare for a future where quantum computing could potentially compromise current encryption methods.
- QuSecure, a leading company in post-quantum cryptography (PQC), has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to provide post-quantum cybersecurity solutions.
- The contract is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programme, aimed at addressing key challenges in the Department of the Air Force.
- The Air Force will use QuSecure’s QuProtect, a PQC software solution designed to protect encrypted communications and data with quantum resilience.
- This contract follows similar awards QuSecure has received from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Government.
- The U.S. Government has shown urgency in moving towards a quantum safe future, with recent actions taken by Congress and the White House.
- QuSecure’s QuProtect software allows organisations to use quantum-resilient technology to prevent cyberattacks and prepare for future quantum cyber threats.
- The software can be used on any device, including network, cloud, IoT, edge devices, and satellite communications, and can be implemented without removing existing encryption.
- The U.S. Government’s focus on quantum safety is reflected in the Endless Frontiers Act and the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, which prioritise research into emerging technologies and the migration to IT systems using post-quantum cryptography.