TORONTO, ON, MARCH 10, 2026 -- Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. (“Xanadu”), a leading photonic quantum computing company, has partnered with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), an affiliate of the University of Maryland (UMD), in a pioneering new cybersecurity project. Sponsored by the Secretary of the Air Force’s Concepts, Development, and Management Office’s SEQCURE (Securing Experimental Quantum Computing Usage in Research Environments) program, this project aims to define the foundational industry and government security standards for quantum computing.

As quantum computers transition from research laboratories to commercial deployment, establishing robust, forward-looking security protocols becomes critical to protecting national security interests and commercial applications. The ARLIS project directly addresses this need by evaluating the feasibility of implementing a Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), as defined by the NIST standard SP800-207, within quantum computing environments. The application of ZTA to quantum systems is both a novel and critical step in proactive cyber defense, ensuring that the principle of "never trust, always verify" can be applied to this emerging technology.

“Establishing a trusted, secure operating environment is non-negotiable for the future of quantum computing,” said Christian Weedbrook, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Xanadu. “Our work with ARLIS is a commitment to not just developing cutting-edge quantum hardware, software, and applications, but also to pioneering the cybersecurity frameworks necessary to ensure these systems are secure from day one.”

As part of the collaboration, Xanadu is providing ARLIS with a comprehensive overview of its current and future generation quantum computers and the protocols being used to secure them. This includes a holistic security analysis across the entire quantum ecosystem, focusing on six key architectural areas: cloud, hardware, software, facilities, subjects, and data, with special attention paid to how integrated computing resources, custom hardware (including embedded software), and controlling software elements all interact.

"Xanadu is adding substantial value to the SEQCURE program’s mission to understand and protect the quantum ecosystem,” said Paul Lopata, Chief Quantum Scientist at ARLIS. . “By engaging with quantum computing leaders like Xanadu, we gain the crucial, on-the-ground technical data needed to assess the architectural viability of ZTA. The outputs of this study are vital for shaping the guidance that will protect quantum assets deployed across government and industry.”

The launch of this study marks a pivotal inflection point in the quantum industry, moving beyond theoretical discussions of future security risks to establishing practical, deployable security architectures today. By focusing on ZTA, this project is not merely adapting existing IT security models; it is helping to design a set of robust, resilient security standards.

The ultimate outcome of this research will be a foundational report that informs the U.S. Government and the wider industry on the steps needed to secure quantum infrastructure. Xanadu’s contributions aim to ensure that as quantum computing delivers on its promise of profound computational power, it does so within an IT architecture built for security and trust, accelerating the responsible integration of this transformative technology into sensitive environments.