IonQ has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire cybersecurity company Elisity for up to $1.3 bn in stock, including a performance-based earnout of up to $150 mn.
The acquisition will integrate Elisity’s Zero Trust platform with IonQ’s post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution technologies, targeting a microsegmentation market valued at more than $10 bn.
Elisity has more than 100 global customer deployments and reports annual doubling of revenue and its customer base, while IonQ recorded 40% year-over-year growth in multiproduct revenue in the second quarter of 2026.
IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Elisity, a provider of Zero Trust cybersecurity technology, in an all-stock transaction valued at up to $1.3 bn, expanding its enterprise security business alongside its quantum computing operations.
The proposed acquisition will combine IonQ’s post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) capabilities with Elisity’s identity-based network security platform. The companies intend to develop integrated cybersecurity solutions addressing current threats, including those involving large language models and AI agents, as well as security risks associated with advances in quantum computing.
The transaction also provides IonQ with an established enterprise cybersecurity business and additional distribution channels for its quantum security products.
IonQ identified microsegmentation, a market it values at more than $10 bn with a double-digit compound annual growth rate, as a principal commercial opportunity associated with the acquisition.
Elisity has more than 100 customer deployments globally and reports that both its revenue and customer base have doubled year over year, with no customer churn among deployed customers. Its relationships with chief information security officers and enterprise security teams are expected to support the distribution of IonQ’s PQC, QKD and quantum computing offerings across corporate and government networks.
Niccolo de Masi, chairman and CEO of IonQ, said the combination would allow the company to extend its quantum security capabilities into established enterprise network environments.
With Elisity and its team as part of IonQ, we will be well positioned to help customers protect critical infrastructure and enterprise networks throughout the transition to the quantum era. As I said first, Q-Day is coming much faster than predicted. IonQ is offering its customers a vertically integrated full-stack quantum platform across quantum computing, networking, sensing and cybersecurity.
Niccolo de Masi, chairman and CEO of IonQ,
“Just as adding SkyWater Technology expanded IonQ’s capabilities in chip design, fabrication and packaging, Elisity will bring proven enterprise policy enforcement scale and deployment experience to our quantum security strategy and will give IonQ a strong growth platform to serve customers and create value for our shareholders,” de Masi said.
The reference to SkyWater Technology places the Elisity transaction within IonQ’s strategy of expanding its technology capabilities through acquisitions. SkyWater added chip design, fabrication and packaging expertise, while Elisity would contribute enterprise security policy enforcement technology and operational experience.
Elisity CEO James Winebrenner said organizations must address existing network vulnerabilities alongside preparations for quantum-related cryptographic risks. “Our customers need to prioritize post-quantum cryptography initiatives while securing existing assets to keep essential operations running,” Winebrenner said.
With IonQ, we will be optimally positioned to partner with them to modernize their crypto-agility programs, accelerate post-quantum cryptography capabilities while advancing their holistic Zero Trust posture and deploy hybrid-cybersecurity solutions today that are prepared for the quantum future.
Elisity CEO James Winebrenner
The acquisition comes as businesses and government agencies face overlapping cybersecurity requirements. Existing networks must withstand attacks that can operate at machine speed, while sensitive information and communications require protection against potential future threats from quantum computing.
IonQ cited recent White House executive orders supporting quantum innovation and accelerating the US federal government’s transition to post-quantum cryptography. The directives place additional emphasis on securing critical infrastructure, preparing government networks for quantum-era threats and modernizing existing cybersecurity systems.
Elisity’s technology addresses current network security requirements through an identity-based approach to access control.
Its IdentityGraph platform combines native asset identity information with contextual and risk data obtained from technology partners. These inputs inform least-privilege access policies covering users, devices, workloads, AI agents and other non-human identities.
Security teams can simulate policies before enforcing restrictions that limit each identity to the network communications required for its authorized functions.
The approach is designed to reduce the potential attack surface of enterprise networks and restrict the movement of threats between connected systems.
Elisity’s software policy layer uses existing network infrastructure to enforce access rules independently of the underlying network technology. This allows organizations to apply identity-based restrictions without tying policy enforcement to a particular networking architecture.
Combining that technology with IonQ’s cryptographic capabilities would bring two distinct security functions into a common offering.
Post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution address the protection of sensitive information and communications, while Elisity’s Zero Trust controls govern which identities can access network resources and communicate with other systems.
The companies also plan to extend IdentityGraph by incorporating cryptographic inventory and risk information. The proposed integration would give customers additional information for assessing quantum-related security exposure while maintaining controls against existing cyberattacks, including threats involving AI agents.
IonQ expects the combination to support organizations undertaking multiyear transitions toward quantum-resistant security systems.
The acquisition will also broaden IonQ’s existing quantum-secure communications business. The company has deployed what it describes as some of the world’s largest quantum-safe national communications networks, including installations in Switzerland, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Its security portfolio spans quantum-safe posture management, QKD and PQC, providing multiple technologies intended to protect sensitive communications and information.
IonQ has also reported increasing adoption of multiple products and services among its customers. In the second quarter of 2026, the company recorded 40% year-over-year growth in multiproduct revenue.
Management sees opportunities to build on that performance by introducing Elisity’s network security technology to existing IonQ customers and offering IonQ’s quantum security capabilities to Elisity’s enterprise and government clients.
The companies expect to pursue cross-selling opportunities, expand customer relationships and develop integrated products combining cryptographic protection with identity-based network controls.
Elisity’s existing commercial operations are expected to remain in place following completion of the transaction. The business will continue serving customers under its current leadership, including Winebrenner as CEO.
IonQ said it intends to support Elisity’s technology development, customer relationships and partner network through its existing approach to investing in acquired businesses.
Under the definitive agreement, IonQ will acquire Elisity through an all-stock transaction valued at up to $1.3 bn. That amount includes a potential earnout of up to $150 mn, contingent on the performance of Elisity’s business.
The number of IonQ shares issued as consideration will be determined at closing using the volume-weighted average price of IonQ common stock over a specified 20-trading-day measurement period.
The period ends before the third business day preceding the closing date, with that third business day excluded from the calculation. The share price used for the transaction will be subject to a ceiling of $49.61 and a floor of $33.07 per share.
The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of the required regulatory approval.
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