This blog post is included in our Oracle Defense Ecosystem member spotlight series.

Defense and intelligence agencies operate in some of the world’s most demanding security conditions, making data protection across contested, distributed, and disconnected environments increasingly important. Oracle’s approach to this challenge is based on the principle that security should be built in, not bolted on.

Across Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), core capabilities such as encryption, identity, and monitoring are embedded by default. This approach reduces operational complexity and helps agencies avoid the cost and risk of stitching together multiple third-party tools.

As threat actors evolve, built-in security is particularly important. Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL) threats are a main concern, where adversaries collect encrypted data today with the intent of decrypting it in the future with quantum capabilities.

Preparing for the post-quantum era with quantum-safe encryption

OCI’s built-in security provides a strong foundation to address today’s threats. As federal agencies and mission owners prepare for emerging quantum-era threats, particularly in highly sensitive or national security environments, some may choose to extend their security posture with additional capabilities. That’s where Arqit comes in. A quantum cybersecurity company and member of the Oracle Defense Ecosystem, Arqit delivers a low latency, software-based encryption solution, NetworkSecure, designed to help customers protect critical data with operational agility. Deployable on OCI, Arqit’s solutions can help agencies harden systems today while preparing for tomorrow’s risks.

Designed specifically to deliver strong data protection, Arqit avoids the performance constraints often associated with traditional cryptographic approaches. Arqit’s solutions for defense emphasize:

  • High-performance keying: Designed for mission systems and tactical environments, supporting low-latency encryption, even in bandwidth-constrained environments
  • Crypto-agility: Allows agencies to update cryptographic policies and algorithms as standards and threat conditions evolve, reducing dependency on static encryption models
  • Flexible integration: Supports deployment across application, service, and network layers, offering protection of existing systems without requiring a full redesign
  • Data sovereignty: Giving customers full control of the protection of their data in on-premises, cloud, and edge deployed environments.
The challenge: Adversaries are collecting encrypted data today with the intent to decrypt it tomorrow. The solution: OCI offers built-in, defense-grade security and Arqit NetworkSecure Encryption Intelligence offers quantum-safe Encryption and cryptographic visibility. The outcome: A future-ready security posture that helps protect mission-critical data today and tomorrow.

Arqit’s role in the Oracle Defense Ecosystem

The Oracle Defense Ecosystem brings together technology innovators to help strengthen the national security of the US and its allies, offering members access to Oracle’s expertise and experience. As a member of the Oracle Defense Ecosystem, Arqit helps mission owners implement quantum-era defensive measures into their workflows to help protect their data with greater confidence.

Gaining data visibility with automated cryptography discovery and inventory

A key component of Arqit’s solutions is Encryption Intelligence (EI): automated cryptography discovery and inventory (ACDI). EI can provide defense and intelligence agencies with continuous visibility into their cryptographic posture by identifying encryption usage, detecting vulnerable algorithms, and monitoring compliance with emerging standards. Offering real-time insight and control, EI can help agencies transition from legacy encryption to quantum-resistant architectures in a structured and measurable way.

Together, OCI and Arqit can help create a layered approach to data protection, adaptable to dynamic mission environments and evolving threat landscapes.

Strengthening security operations with Arqit on OCI

Arqit’s software-based approach supports crypto-agility and policy-driven lifecycle management, extending and operationalizing cryptographic controls as standards mature. Combined with OCI’s Logging and Monitoring services, agencies can maintain the evidence necessary for ATO processes and continuous monitoring. Additionally, OCI’s distributed cloud offerings across government, defense, and isolated regions enable agencies to deploy mission-critical workloads:

  • Oracle US Government Cloud: managed by US citizens only and authorized to operate at FedRAMP High JAB and DISA Impact Level (IL) 4, providing compliant, highly secure, and resilient infrastructure and solutions for U.S. federal agencies, state and local governments, and the companies that serve these government customers. 
  • Oracle US Defense Cloud: managed by US citizens only and authorized for DISA IL2, IL4, and IL5 workloads, and in full compliance with DISA Security Requirements Guides (SRGs), with connections to DISA Boundary Cloud Access Points (BCAP) and the Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN).
  • Oracle National Security Regions: air-gapped environments authorized at DISA IL6 and Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 503, managed by government-cleared US citizens.
  • Oracle Cloud Isolated Regions: designed for global customers, these regions are disconnected, air-gapped environments with dedicated operations teams that help address each customer’s citizenship and security clearance requirements.

Mission use cases for advanced cryptography

Quantum-resistant solutions like Arqit’s are mission-critical for defense and intelligence operations across distributed, high-threat environments:

  • Tactical edge communications: Supports the rapid deployment of quantum-safe command and control (C2) nodes for forward-deployed forces operating in contested environments
  • Resilient networking: Supports zero trust architectures, helping secure data movement across coalition networks and multidomain operations in contested environments
  • Protected intelligence data: Helps protect sensitive national security information against HNDL
  • Secure autonomous systems: Helps secure communications for control of military drones
  • Crypto-agility across defense networks: Provides ACDI for continuous monitoring of security posture to help prepare legacy systems for the post-quantum era

Quantum-resistant solutions beyond defense and intelligence

Arqit’s capabilities are relevant wherever high-assurance data needs to remain safe:

  • Telecommunications: Providers can secure 5G networks, backhaul systems, and edge computing environments with high-throughput, low-latency crypto-agile protection of data-in-transit.
  • Financial services: Protect interbank messaging, market data feeds, and payment flows where downtime or compromise is unacceptable.
  • Healthcare and critical infrastructure: Organizations can help safeguard regulated data and operational technologies against evolving cyber risks while helping to ensure continuity of essential services.
  • Education and research: Institutions can help protect intellectual property and enable secure collaboration across institutions and international partners.

Preparing for the post-quantum era

As quantum computing advances and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, federal agencies and mission owners must rethink how they secure sensitive data across its entire lifecycle. Traditional cryptographic methods may not be sufficient on their own for long-term protection against emerging risks, particularly in environments where data must remain protected far into the future. Arqit’s software-based encryption, running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, helps customers address these risks.

Together, Oracle and its Defense Ecosystem partners are enabling a new standard for secure communications, supporting mission success today to help ensure readiness for tomorrow’s threats. Apply to join the Oracle Defense Ecosystem or contact your sales representative to learn more.