Arqit launches quantum-safe SKA Edge Controller to secure deployed military operations
Arqit (Nasdaq: ARQQ) has launched the SKA Edge Controller (SKA-EC), a quantum-safe communications platform designed for military defense operations. The system enables secure command and control in high-threat environments without traditional encryption infrastructure constraints.
The SKA-EC platform features quantum-safe security, rapid deployment capabilities, distributed architecture, and resilience in contested environments. It supports various military applications including mobile headquarters, deployed forces, and command links for autonomous platforms. The solution complies with major security standards including NSA, NIST, CSNA 2.0, and FIPS 140-3.
Key features include dynamic symmetric encryption key generation, elimination of pre-shared keys risks, and support for multiple hardware configurations including BioDigitalPC® cards and COTS servers.Arqit (Nasdaq: ARQQ) ha lanciato il SKA Edge Controller (SKA-EC), una piattaforma di comunicazione sicura quantistica progettata per operazioni di difesa militare. Il sistema consente un comando e controllo sicuri in ambienti ad alto rischio senza le limitazioni delle infrastrutture di crittografia tradizionali.
La piattaforma SKA-EC offre sicurezza quantistica, capacità di rapido dispiegamento, architettura distribuita e resilienza in ambienti ostili. Supporta diverse applicazioni militari, tra cui quartier generali mobili, forze schierate e collegamenti di comando per piattaforme autonome. La soluzione è conforme ai principali standard di sicurezza come NSA, NIST, CSNA 2.0 e FIPS 140-3.
Le caratteristiche principali includono la generazione dinamica di chiavi di crittografia simmetriche, l’eliminazione dei rischi legati alle chiavi pre-condivise e il supporto a molteplici configurazioni hardware, inclusi schede BioDigitalPC® e server COTS.
Arqit (Nasdaq: ARQQ) ha lanzado el SKA Edge Controller (SKA-EC), una plataforma de comunicaciones segura cuántica diseñada para operaciones de defensa militar. El sistema permite un mando y control seguros en entornos de alta amenaza sin las limitaciones de la infraestructura de cifrado tradicional.
La plataforma SKA-EC ofrece seguridad cuántica, capacidades de despliegue rápido, arquitectura distribuida y resiliencia en entornos conflictivos. Soporta diversas aplicaciones militares, incluyendo cuarteles móviles, fuerzas desplegadas y enlaces de mando para plataformas autónomas. La solución cumple con los principales estándares de seguridad como NSA, NIST, CSNA 2.0 y FIPS 140-3.
Las características clave incluyen generación dinámica de claves de cifrado simétrico, eliminación de riesgos asociados con claves precompartidas y soporte para múltiples configuraciones de hardware, incluidas tarjetas BioDigitalPC® y servidores COTS.
Arqit (나스닥: ARQQ)은 군사 방위 작전을 위해 설계된 양자 안전 통신 플랫폼인 SKA Edge Controller (SKA-EC)를 출시했습니다. 이 시스템은 전통적인 암호화 인프라의 제약 없이 고위험 환경에서 안전한 지휘 및 통제를 가능하게 합니다.
SKA-EC 플랫폼은 양자 안전 보안, 신속한 배포 능력, 분산 아키텍처 및 경쟁 환경에서의 복원력을 특징으로 합니다. 모바일 본부, 배치 부대, 자율 플랫폼용 지휘 링크 등 다양한 군사 응용을 지원하며, NSA, NIST, CSNA 2.0, FIPS 140-3 등 주요 보안 표준을 준수합니다.
주요 기능으로는 동적 대칭 암호 키 생성, 사전 공유 키 위험 제거, BioDigitalPC® 카드 및 COTS 서버를 포함한 다양한 하드웨어 구성 지원이 있습니다.
Arqit (Nasdaq : ARQQ) a lancé le SKA Edge Controller (SKA-EC), une plateforme de communication quantique sécurisée conçue pour les opérations de défense militaire. Ce système permet un commandement et un contrôle sécurisés dans des environnements à haut risque sans les contraintes des infrastructures de chiffrement traditionnelles.
La plateforme SKA-EC offre une sécurité quantique, des capacités de déploiement rapide, une architecture distribuée et une résilience dans des environnements contestés. Elle prend en charge diverses applications militaires, notamment les quartiers généraux mobiles, les forces déployées et les liaisons de commandement pour les plateformes autonomes. La solution est conforme aux principales normes de sécurité telles que NSA, NIST, CSNA 2.0 et FIPS 140-3.
Les caractéristiques clés incluent la génération dynamique de clés de chiffrement symétriques, l’élimination des risques liés aux clés pré-partagées et la prise en charge de multiples configurations matérielles, notamment les cartes BioDigitalPC® et les serveurs COTS.
Arqit (Nasdaq: ARQQ) hat den SKA Edge Controller (SKA-EC) vorgestellt, eine quantensichere Kommunikationsplattform für militärische Verteidigungsoperationen. Das System ermöglicht sichere Befehls- und Kontrollfunktionen in hochgefährdeten Umgebungen ohne die Einschränkungen herkömmlicher Verschlüsselungsinfrastrukturen.
Die SKA-EC-Plattform bietet quantensichere Sicherheit, schnelle Einsatzfähigkeit, eine verteilte Architektur und Widerstandsfähigkeit in umkämpften Umgebungen. Sie unterstützt verschiedene militärische Anwendungen, darunter mobile Hauptquartiere, eingesetzte Streitkräfte und Befehlsverbindungen für autonome Plattformen. Die Lösung erfüllt wichtige Sicherheitsstandards wie NSA, NIST, CSNA 2.0 und FIPS 140-3.
Zu den Hauptmerkmalen zählen die dynamische Generierung symmetrischer Verschlüsselungsschlüssel, die Beseitigung von Risiken durch vorab geteilte Schlüssel sowie die Unterstützung mehrerer Hardwarekonfigurationen, einschließlich BioDigitalPC®-Karten und COTS-Server.
- None.
- Product requires operation in bandwidth-constrained environments
- Limited to government and defense partners availability
Insights
Arqit's new SKA-EC platform represents strategic expansion into defense markets with quantum-safe communications technology optimized for tactical operations.
Arqit's launch of the SKA Edge Controller (SKA-EC) marks a significant tactical expansion of their quantum-safe encryption technology specifically tailored for defense applications. This ruggedized platform addresses critical security vulnerabilities in forward-deployed military operations where traditional encryption infrastructure is impractical.
What makes this product strategically valuable is its ability to function in contested, disconnected environments while eliminating the operational risks associated with pre-shared keys and complex Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). The system's design for tactical edge deployment means military units can establish secure communications in high-threat scenarios with minimal infrastructure requirements.
The technology differentiator here is Arqit's symmetric key approach, which dynamically generates encryption keys across trusted endpoints rather than relying on potentially vulnerable public key methods. This matters because quantum computing threatens to break conventional asymmetric encryption, creating an urgent security gap in military communications that Arqit is positioning to fill.
From a defense procurement perspective, the platform's compliance with NSA, NIST, CSNA 2.0, and FIPS 140-3 standards removes significant barriers to adoption within defense organizations, which typically require strict certification adherence. The mention of SWaP efficiency (Size, Weight, and Power) addresses a critical operational constraint for deployed forces where logistics footprint directly impacts mission capabilities.
Notably, the system's support for autonomous platforms and unmanned vehicles opens additional market segments beyond traditional command and control applications, potentially expanding Arqit's defense sector footprint.
This SKA-EC launch represents Arqit's strategic pivot toward specialized military applications of their quantum-safe cryptography. The company is targeting a critical vulnerability in defense communications: traditional encryption methods that are either too complex for rapid deployment or increasingly vulnerable to quantum computing attacks.
The technical architecture deserves particular attention. By eliminating reliance on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and pre-shared keys (PSKs), Arqit addresses two significant weaknesses in current tactical communications. PKI is administratively burdensome in dynamic environments, while PSKs create security risks through key distribution and storage vulnerabilities. The symmetric key approach generates encryption keys at endpoints as needed, significantly reducing attack surface.
From a market positioning perspective, the product's form factor flexibility—supporting BioDigitalPC cards, COTS servers, and virtualized environments—shows Arqit recognizes the heterogeneous nature of military IT infrastructures. This compatibility will likely accelerate adoption across different defense use cases.
The zero-trust readiness is especially relevant as defense agencies worldwide are under pressure to implement zero-trust architectures following numerous high-profile breaches. By building this capability into SKA-EC, Arqit aligns with emerging security mandates.
Perhaps most significantly, the system's ability to operate in disconnected or bandwidth-constrained environments addresses a fundamental challenge in military operations where reliable connectivity cannot be guaranteed. By enabling independent operation of security nodes without continuous connection to central infrastructure, Arqit is solving a problem that many quantum-security approaches haven't adequately addressed.
LONDON, July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arqit Quantum Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQQ, ARQQW) (“Arqit”), a global leader in quantum‑safe encryption, today announced the launch of SKA Edge Controller (SKA-EC), a ruggedised, quantum-safe Symmetric Key Agreement (SKA) communications platform designed to meet the needs of forward-deployed defense operations. The system enables rapid setup of secure, scalable command and control (C2) nodes in contested, disconnected and high-threat environments without the constraints of traditional encryption infrastructure.
SKA-EC extends Arqit’s SKA-Platform™ to the tactical edge. It enables distributed and mobile force elements to operate securely and independently using small form-factor hardware appliances including BioDigitalPC® cards, COTS servers or virtualised cloud nodes.
By dynamically generating symmetric encryption keys across trusted endpoints, SKA-EC eliminates the operational risks of pre-shared keys (PSKs) and the complexity of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), offering a crypto-agile, zero trust ready solution built for high-tempo environments.
Designed specifically to support modern defense operations, SKA-EC enables:
- Quantum-safe security at the edge, ensuring future-proof protection against nation-state and quantum threats.
- Rapid deployment of secure force elements across remote, mobile or cloud environments.
- Distributed, scalable architecture supporting independent or interconnected C2 nodes.
- Resilience in contested environments, including disconnected or bandwidth-constrained operations.
- SWaP efficiency, reducing the cost, size, weight and logistics overhead of traditional cryptographic systems.
- Compliance with NSA, NIST, CSNA 2.0 and FIPS 140-3 standards, ensuring readiness for mission-critical deployments.
SKA-EC supports a wide range of military use cases from mobile HQs and deployed force elements, to command links for autonomous platforms and unmanned aerial or ground vehicles enabling agile mission architectures without compromising on security or performance.
“Defense operations demand more than just connectivity, they require quantum-safe, resilient communications that can be deployed fast and operate under pressure,” said Paul Feenan, Chief Commercial Officer at Arqit. “SKA-EC delivers that capability as a secure-by-design, crypto-agile solution ready for the modern defense operating environment.”
SKA-EC is available now to government and defense partners. Find out more and arrange a deployment trial, demonstration or briefing here: https://arqit.uk/products/ska-ec
Notes to Editors
Figure 1: Interconnected Multi-Node Network (The image shows how SKA-EC enables symmetric encryption for a modern deployed headquarters made up of multiple scalable nodes that can operate independently or collectively, creating a dispersed and disaggregated environment.)
About Arqit
Arqit Quantum Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQQ, ARQQW) supplies a unique encryption software service which makes the communications links of any networked device, cloud machine or data at rest secure against both current and future forms of attack on encryption – even from a quantum computer. Compatible with NSA CSfC Components and meeting the demands of NSA CSfC Symmetric Key Management Requirements Annexe 1.2. and RFC 8784, Arqit’s Symmetric Key Agreement Platform uses a lightweight software agent that allows end point devices to create encryption keys locally in partnership with any number of other devices. The keys are computationally secure and facilitate Zero Trust Network Access. It can create limitless volumes of keys with any group size and refresh rate and can regulate the secure entrance and exit of a device in a group. The agent is lightweight and will thus run on the smallest of end point devices. The product sits within a growing portfolio of granted patents. It also works in a standards compliant manner which does not oblige customers to make a disruptive rip and replace of their technology. In September 2024, Arqit was named as an IDC Innovator for Post-Quantum Cryptography, 2024. Arqit is winner of two GSMA Global Mobile Awards, The Best Mobile Security Solution and The CTO Choice Award for Outstanding Mobile Technology, at Mobile World Congress 2024, recognised for groundbreaking innovation at the 2023 Institution of Engineering and Technology Awards and winner of the National Cyber Awards’ Cyber Defense Product of the Year 2024 and Innovation in Cyber Award 2022, as well as the Cyber Security Awards’ Cyber Security Software Company of the Year Award 2022. Arqit is ISO 27001 Standard certified. www.arqit.uk
Media relations enquiries:
Arqit: pr@arqit.uk
Investor relations enquiries:
Arqit: investorrelations@arqit.uk
Caution About Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Arqit’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors are difficult to predict accurately and may be beyond Arqit’s control. Forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere speak only as of the date made. New uncertainties and risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for Arqit to predict these events or how they may affect it. Except as required by law, Arqit does not have any duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere after the date this communication is issued. In light of these risks and uncertainties, investors should keep in mind that results, events or developments discussed in any forward-looking statement made in this communication may not occur. Uncertainties and risk factors that could affect Arqit’s future performance and cause results to differ from the forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to: (i) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Arqit, (ii) the ability to maintain the listing of Arqit’s securities on a national securities exchange, (iii) changes in the competitive and regulated industries in which Arqit operates, variations in operating performance across competitors and changes in laws and regulations affecting Arqit’s business, (iv) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and identify and realise additional opportunities, (v) the potential inability of Arqit to successfully deliver its operational technology, (vi) the risk of interruption or failure of Arqit’s information technology and communications system, (vii) the enforceability of Arqit’s intellectual property, (viii) market and other conditions, and (ix) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Arqit’s annual report on Form 20-F (the “Form 20-F”), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on 5 December 2024 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. While the list of factors discussed above and in the Form 20-F and other SEC filings are considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realisation of forward-looking statements.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc035e9e-9815-4d43-9ca2-9071e2467856
FAQ
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