US Firms Partner to Deploy Quantum-Proof Cybersecurity for Critical Systems

JOHNSTOWN, PA – May 19, 2026 – In a move to defend the nation’s most vital systems against a new era of cyber warfare, Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) has announced a strategic partnership with Quantum Knight Inc. The collaboration aims to accelerate the deployment of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to shield U.S. government, defense, and critical infrastructure networks from adversaries armed with future quantum computers.

The partnership brings together CTC, a nonprofit applied scientific research organization with deep roots in government and defense projects, and Quantum Knight, a developer of advanced, software-based PQC solutions. The alliance will focus on integrating and deploying Quantum Knight’s CLEAR™ cryptosystem, a platform designed to secure sensitive data against threats that could render much of today’s encryption obsolete.

“Post-quantum cybersecurity is no longer theoretical. Adversaries are already targeting infrastructure that was never designed for modern cyber warfare,” said Edward J. Sheehan Jr., President and CEO of CTC, in a statement announcing the partnership. “Our role as a non-profit is to identify and deliver technologies that are ready for real-world deployment, and this partnership reflects that mission.”

The Looming Quantum Threat

The urgency behind this initiative stems from a widely anticipated technological shift known as “Q-Day”—the moment a sufficiently powerful quantum computer becomes capable of breaking the public-key encryption that underpins global digital security. While estimates for Q-Day vary, many experts place it in the early 2030s, and the threat is already materializing through “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL) attacks. In these scenarios, adversaries are siphoning and storing vast amounts of encrypted data today, betting they can unlock it once quantum computing matures.

This puts long-term sensitive information—from national security secrets and financial data to personal health records and intellectual property—at extreme risk. In response, the U.S. government has taken decisive action. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is finalizing a suite of standardized PQC algorithms, while federal mandates like the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act of 2022 require agencies to inventory their vulnerable systems and prepare for migration.

The goal is to transition the nation’s digital infrastructure to quantum-resistant standards before today’s cryptographic safeguards are shattered, a process that experts warn must begin immediately to be completed in time.

A New Software-Defined Defense

At the heart of the new partnership is Quantum Knight’s CLEAR™ (Computational Layer for Encrypted Access Restriction) software. The platform is engineered to provide immediate, robust protection without the need for disruptive and costly hardware replacement—a critical advantage for organizations managing complex or legacy infrastructure.

Unlike traditional security architectures that may rely on centralized servers or hardware modules, CLEAR™ is built on Quantum Knight’s patented HyperKey™ technology. This FIPS 140-3 validated cryptographic module runs entirely in software, enabling individual endpoints—from servers and laptops to satellites and IoT devices—to verify identity, control access, and encrypt data directly. This decentralized approach dramatically reduces the attack surface and eliminates single points of failure.

The system is designed for high-performance environments, supporting ultra-low latency communications and encryption strength up to an formidable 10,240-bit symmetric equivalence. Its software-only nature means it can be deployed in minutes on existing infrastructure, offering a layer of quantum-resistant security to systems that cannot tolerate downtime.

Significantly, the CLEAR™ software has already received an Authority to Operate (ATO) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An ATO is a rigorous formal certification, signifying that a system has met strict federal security and compliance standards, making it suitable for high-stakes operational environments. This validation underscores the technology's maturity and readiness for deployment across other sensitive government and critical infrastructure sectors.

“This is about protecting systems that cannot fail,” noted Andy Schwaderer, CEO of Quantum Knight Inc. “The threats are changing faster than traditional security can adapt, and organizations need protection that works now, not years from now.”

From Lab to Lifeline: Securing Critical Infrastructure

The collaboration leverages CTC’s extensive experience in certifying, integrating, and deploying complex technological solutions for government and defense clients. With a history of managing secure network architectures for entities like the U.S. Marine Corps, CTC is uniquely positioned to transition Quantum Knight’s advanced technology from a proven product into a widely deployed safeguard for the nation’s lifelines.

Critical infrastructure—including power grids, water systems, transportation networks, and medical technology—remains acutely vulnerable to cyberattacks. Incidents like the 2021 Colonial Pipeline shutdown and a 2023 breach of a Pennsylvania water system have exposed how digital intrusions can cause real-world disruption and harm. The prospect of quantum decryption capabilities only magnifies these risks.

By focusing on a software-based solution, the partnership provides a practical pathway to secure both modern and legacy Industrial Control Systems (ICS) that are often difficult and expensive to upgrade. The ability to add a PQC layer without a complete system redesign is a game-changer for infrastructure operators facing tight budgets and zero-fail missions.

“Combining Quantum Knight’s innovative technology with CTC’s expertise in certification, integration, and deployment helps ensure the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense have access to advanced post-quantum cybersecurity technologies critical to addressing the evolving threat landscape,” said Kevin Pudliner, Vice President of CTC’s Digital Mission Solutions Division.

As nation-state adversaries and cybercriminals grow more sophisticated, this partnership represents a proactive step to harden the foundational systems that American society depends on daily. The collaboration between CTC and Quantum Knight is not just a business agreement but a critical component of a national strategy to build a resilient and secure digital future in the face of unprecedented technological change.