WISeKey and Swiss Armed Forces Advance Quantum-Secure Satellite Security

Rhea-AI Summary

WISeKey (NASDAQ: WKEY) and subsidiaries WISeSat.Space and SEALSQ announced continued collaboration with the Swiss Armed Forces to develop quantum-resilient satellite communications.

The partnership, initiated in 2022, has progressed through joint R&D, mission testing of LEO-IoT and IoBT use cases, and now integrates SEALSQ post-quantum semiconductors with WISeKey's Swiss Root of Trust to enable end-to-end encrypted, zero-trust orbital links. The SAF published its space capability concept on October 8, 2025, and the companies say the work supports Switzerland's sovereign space and cybersecurity goals while aiming to reduce reliance on foreign providers.

Positive

• Partnership initiated in 2022 with ongoing collaboration
• Completed multi-year R&D and mission testing for LEO-IoT and IoBT
• Integration of post-quantum semiconductors and Swiss Root of Trust
• Supports SAF space capability publication on October 8, 2025

Negative

• Operational deployment subject to Government and Parliament procurement decisions
• No contract value, timeline, or binding procurement award disclosed

Insights

Security Systems Strategist

Partnership advances quantum‑resistant satellite security and aligns national defense procurement with sovereign comms capabilities.

WISeKey, its subsidiary WISeSat.Space, and SEALSQ formalize integration of post‑quantum semiconductors with a Swiss Root of Trust to protect satellite‑to‑ground and inter‑satellite links. The collaboration builds on multi‑year R&D with the Swiss Armed Forces and targets Low Earth Orbit IoT and Internet of Battlefield Things use cases, aiming to harden previously exposed backhaul links against interception.

The plan depends on two concrete gating items: continuation of technical testing and formal procurement decisions at the government and parliamentary level. Operational benefit claims rest on successful system testing and certification for military use; if either testing or procurement stalls, deployment and sovereign coverage goals will not be met. The October 8, 2025 publication of the SAF space capability concept and the earlier August 2023 strategy create visible program milestones that link R&D to procurement timelines.

Watch for three near‑term, monitorable items: completion and public summary of mission tests demonstrating end‑to‑end post‑quantum encryption, formal procurement steps or contracts following government and parliament decisions, and any technical acceptance criteria tied to SAF operational use within the next program phase (expect relevant updates around known milestones in 2025–2026). These items will materially affect the partnership’s strategic value and operational rollout.

WISeKey and Swiss Armed Forces Advance Quantum-Secure Satellite Security

Geneva and Bern, Switzerland – November 4, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading Swiss cybersecurity, AI, and IoT company, together with its subsidiaries WISeSat.Space which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, and SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES), ("SEALSQ" or "Company"), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, today provided an update on the evolution of its collaboration with the Swiss Armed Forces (SAF). This partnership, initiated in 2022, continues to advance Switzerland’s sovereign space and cybersecurity infrastructure by combining secure IoT satellites with trusted digital identity and post-quantum cryptographic technologies.

Recent coverage by WIRED revealed a stark vulnerability in the global satellite communications ecosystem: with just a few hundred dollars’ worth of off-the-shelf equipment, researchers intercepted unencrypted calls, texts, and sensitive military and corporate data being broadcast via geostationary satellites. (wired.com) The article underscores how many satellite “backhaul” links, especially those serving remote or critical infrastructure, remain unprotected, exposing vital information to trivial interception.

In direct response to such threats, WISeSat.Space’s work with the SAF supports the development of secure, sovereign satellite-based communications, reconnaissance, and navigation systems for military organizations. These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on foreign providers and intergovernmental projects, thereby enhancing national resilience, operational autonomy, and cybersecurity.

Since the signing of the initial agreement, WISeSat.Space and the SAF have jointly conducted research, development, and mission testing on small-satellite and secure communications capabilities, including Low Earth Orbit IoT (LEO-IoT) and Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) applications. The collaboration has now evolved to integrate SEALSQ’s post-quantum semiconductors and WISeKey’s Swiss Root of Trust, ensuring quantum-resilient encryption and authentication for satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite communications. These quantum-secured WISeSat satellites directly address the vulnerabilities exposed in the WIRED report, creating a zero-trust orbital network that guarantees encryption from end to end.

This operational partnership also supports the SAF’s goal of ensuring secure satellite-enabled mobile communications, which has been already made public in August 2023 with the new strategy for the reinforcement of defense capabilities. Additionally, on October 8, 2025, the overall conception for the build-up of SAF’s space-based capabilities has been published by the Department of Defense after its handling by the Government.

Ludovic Monnerat, designated commander of the new Space Command of the Swiss Armed Forces, commented: “To close their capability gaps in space, the SAF are pursuing a strategy focused on partnerships aiming to work with national industrial companies and universities to build operational capabilities with dual use characteristics and thus strengthen our defense capabilities. The Swiss Armed Forces need a regular to permanent coverage with narrowband to broadband connections for networking people and objects, with a security allowing its use in every situation. Our operational partnership with WISeKey during the last 3 years has been playing a key role in preparing the integration of post-quantum encryption to Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity in the near future, while giving our partners a technical and tactical support allowing the development of solutions tailored for military needs worldwide. This security level could also apply to other space-based capabilities, especially the steering of space systems. This collaboration with WISeKey give us the perspective to reach the necessary level of security and sovereignty, which then must be implemented via our procurement process after the necessary decisions at the Government and Parliament level.”

Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey, added: “Our partnership with the Swiss Armed Forces has evolved from a visionary initiative into a solid, long-term collaboration anchoring Switzerland’s leadership in secure space technologies. By merging cybersecurity, cryptography, and satellite innovation, we are helping ensure Switzerland’s digital and spatial independence.”

About WISeSat.Space
WISeSat.Space is a joint venture between WISeKey and its subsidiary, SEALSQ, focused on deploying the world’s first truly secure IoT satellite constellation. Leveraging WISeKey’s trusted root of digital identity and SEALSQ’s post-quantum secure semiconductors, WISeSat.Space is creating a trusted space-based ecosystem for governments, enterprises, and critical infrastructure providers.

About SEALSQ:
SEALSQ is a leading innovator in Post-Quantum Technology hardware and software solutions. Our technology seamlessly integrates Semiconductors, PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), and Provisioning Services, with a strategic emphasis on developing state-of-the-art Quantum Resistant Cryptography and Semiconductors designed to address the urgent security challenges posed by quantum computing. As quantum computers advance, traditional cryptographic methods like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are increasingly vulnerable.

SEALSQ is pioneering the development of Post-Quantum Semiconductors that provide robust, future-proof protection for sensitive data across a wide range of applications, including Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Medical and Healthcare Systems, Defense, IT Network Infrastructure, Automotive, and Industrial Automation and Control Systems. By embedding Post-Quantum Cryptography into our semiconductor solutions, SEALSQ ensures that organizations stay protected against quantum threats. Our products are engineered to safeguard critical systems, enhancing resilience and security across diverse industries.

For more information on our Post-Quantum Semiconductors and security solutions, please visit www.sealsq.com.

About WISeKey

WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa's predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

Press and Investor Contacts

WISeKey International Holding Ltd Company Contact: Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@wisekey.com

WISeKey Investor Relations (US)  The Equity Group Inc. Lena Cati Tel: +1 212 836-9611 lcati@theequitygroup.com

FAQ

What did WISeKey (WKEY) announce on November 4, 2025 about its Swiss Armed Forces collaboration?

WISeKey said its WISeSat.Space and SEALSQ partnership with the Swiss Armed Forces has advanced to integrate post-quantum semiconductors and a Swiss Root of Trust for quantum-resilient satellite links.

How long has WISeKey worked with the Swiss Armed Forces on satellite security (WKEY)?

The collaboration began in 2022 and WISeKey describes it as a 3-year operational partnership involving R&D and mission testing.

What technologies will WISeKey and SEALSQ supply for SAF satellite security (WKEY)?

They plan to provide post-quantum semiconductors, a Swiss Root of Trust for authentication, and encryption for satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite communications.

Does the WISeKey–SAF partnership guarantee immediate satellite deployments for WKEY investors?

No; the announcement notes implementation requires Government and Parliament procurement decisions before operational procurement proceeds.

How does the October 8, 2025 SAF publication affect WISeKey (WKEY)?

The SAF publication outlines space capability build-up that the companies say their technology supports, indicating alignment with Swiss defense space strategy.