Quantum firm IonQ to buy network security specialist Elisity for up to $1.3 billion
US quantum computer maker IonQ is acquiring California-based Elisity in an all-stock deal, aiming to help corporate networks prepare now for future quantum attacks.
Symbolic image · Photo: Anita Fors (Chalmers) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
US quantum computer maker IonQ on Monday signed a definitive agreement to acquire network security company Elisity. The deal will be paid entirely in IonQ shares and is worth up to $1.3 billion, including up to $150 million in performance-based earnout payments. The number of shares issued depends on IonQ's average share price over 20 trading days before closing, within a range of $33.07 to $49.61.
Elisity was founded in 2019 and is based in California. Following the so-called zero-trust principle, its software determines which users, devices, workloads and AI agents are allowed to communicate with each other on a corporate network, regardless of the underlying network technology. The company reports more than 100 deployments worldwide and has raised more than $70 million.
IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi justified the purchase with the threat from future quantum computers that could break today's encryption: “Q-Day is coming much faster than predicted.” Elisity CEO James Winebrenner said customers need to prioritize post-quantum cryptography initiatives while securing existing assets. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval; Winebrenner and his team will continue to run the business.