NCSC selects Arqit to support UK’s post-quantum cryptography migrations
Arqit Quantum (Nasdaq: ARQQ) has been selected by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to participate in their Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Pilot program. The company will provide Discovery and Migration Planning services through its Encryption Intelligence product, helping organizations transition to quantum-safe technologies.
The NCSC initiative aims to prepare organizations for PQC migration, with recommendations to have cryptographic discovery and migration roadmaps in place immediately. Priority systems should be migrated by 2030, with full migration completed by 2035. This selection follows Arqit's strategic acquisition of Ampliphae's encryption risk advisory and analytics technology, strengthening their capabilities in quantum-safe security solutions.
- Selected by NCSC for prestigious Post-Quantum Cryptography Pilot program
- Strategic acquisition of Ampliphae's encryption technology enhances product portfolio
- Early mover advantage in the growing quantum-safe security market
- Established partnerships with defense, telecoms, financial services, and critical infrastructure sectors
- Long implementation timeline with full migration target set for 2035
- Complex transition process requiring significant organizational resources
Insights
Arqit's selection for the NCSC's PQC Pilot validates their technology and positions them for growth in the quantum security market.
This NCSC selection represents a significant validation for Arqit's quantum-safe encryption technology and approach. The UK government's endorsement through the Post-Quantum Cryptography Pilot places Arqit in a privileged position to influence and benefit from the nationwide migration to quantum-resistant security systems - a transition the NCSC has mandated must begin immediately.
The timing is strategically important. The NCSC's guidance that priority systems should be migrated by 2030 with full migration by 2035 creates a clear market timeline and urgency. This effectively establishes a 10-year demand horizon for Arqit's Encryption Intelligence product, which helps organizations discover cryptographic vulnerabilities and plan migrations.
Arqit's recent acquisition of Ampliphae's technology shows prudent strategic expansion, combining quantum encryption expertise with practical analytics capabilities. This integrated approach addresses a critical market need: most organizations currently lack visibility into their cryptographic assets and the expertise to manage the complex migration to post-quantum security.
The government-backed pilot program positions Arqit to establish early relationships with critical infrastructure, financial services, and defense organizations that will be required to implement quantum-safe security. These sectors typically have high compliance requirements, lengthy sales cycles, but ultimately represent high-value, long-term contracts.
As one of the assured providers in this government scheme, Arqit gains competitive differentiation in a growing but still nascent market. Their position in this pilot should translate to revenue opportunities as organizations follow the NCSC timeline for cryptographic transitions.
LONDON, Sept. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arqit Quantum Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQQ, ARQQW) (“Arqit”), a global leader in quantum‑safe encryption, has been selected to participate in the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Pilot. The pilot forms part of the Assured Cyber Security Consultancy (ACSC) Scheme, a government-led initiative to build trusted national expertise in preparing organisations for PQC migration.
As a participant, Arqit has been assured to provide Discovery and Migration Planning services to organisations preparing to migrate to quantum-safe technologies. The services will centre on Arqit’s Encryption Intelligence product, which is designed to help organisations discover, assess and manage cryptographic risk as they transition to quantum-resistant security.
Classical cryptographic algorithms that underpin today’s digital infrastructure are expected to become vulnerable to future quantum computers, threatening the confidentiality of encrypted data, authentication systems and secure communications. To mitigate this, the NCSC advises organisations to begin migration planning immediately, with cryptographic discovery and migration roadmaps in place. Priority systems should be migrated by 2030, with full migration completed by 2035.
“Post-quantum cryptography is one of the few moments in cyber history where we can act before the crisis hits,” said Andy Leaver, CEO of Arqit. “Being selected by the NCSC to participate in the PQC Pilot is a strong endorsement of our approach, using the Encryption Intelligence product to support UK organisations as they face the PQC migration challenge. This programme will help enterprises move from uncertainty to action, with clear guidance and practical tools to future-proof their security.”
Arqit’s Encryption Intelligence product is purpose-built to guide organisations through the complex process of PQC migration. It enables enterprises to map and understand their existing cryptographic assets and dependencies, assess risks across critical systems, and prioritise the areas that demand early action. By embedding cryptographic agility, Encryption Intelligence also ensures that organisations can adapt as new standards and updates emerge, providing a clear and sustainable path to quantum-safe security.
The NCSC approval follows Arqit’s acquisition of Ampliphae’s encryption risk advisory and analytics technology earlier this year, which significantly enhanced the Encryption Intelligence portfolio. This combination brings together Arqit’s quantum encryption expertise with Ampliphae’s proven visibility and analytics capabilities, enabling organisations to identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks and build effective strategies for migrating to quantum-safe encryption.
Arqit’s participation in the pilot builds on its established work with defence, telecoms, financial services and critical national infrastructure partners. It reinforces the UK’s position as a global leader in developing practical, standards-aligned approaches to post-quantum security that can be deployed at scale.
Further information about the Assured Cyber Security Consultancy scheme and the PQC Pilot can be found on the NCSC website: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/schemes/assured-cyber-security-consultancy/pqc-pilot
Notes to Editors
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.arqitgroup.com
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.
FAQ
What is Arqit's (ARQQ) role in the NCSC Post-Quantum Cryptography Pilot?
When is the deadline for organizations to complete quantum-safe migration according to NCSC?
How does Arqit's Encryption Intelligence product help with PQC migration?
What recent acquisition has strengthened Arqit's quantum security capabilities?
Why is post-quantum cryptography migration important for organizations?
