Cloudflare launches quantum-safe ZTNA solution

Cloudflare has expanded post-quantum cryptography support to its signature Zero Trust Network Access solution to allow organisations to securely route communications from web browsers to corporate web applications.

The company revealed it expects to extend support for quantum-safe connectivity to include all IP protocols by mid-year, broadening capability across most corporate applications and devices. Through this, Cloudflare aims to leverage its industry-first quantum-ready ZTNA solution to allow organisations to transition their internet communications to post-quantum cryptography without the need to individually upgrade each corporate application or system.

Cloudflare has been researching, developing and helping to standardise post-quantum cryptography since 2017. Today, over 35% of human-generated traffic connecting to Cloudflare’s global network is afforded post-quantum protection.

Expanding support to the Zero Trust Platform will enable organisations to protect against attacks involving harvesting encrypted data to decrypt when more powerful quantum computers are available. By mid-2025, customers will be able to install Cloudflare’s WARP device client on their end-user devices to be able to benefit from end-to-end quantum safety through the most popular network configurations.

As quantum computers move closer to production, the pressure is on for organisations to replace conventional encryption before it is rendered obsolete. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology is calling for organisations to phase out conventional cryptographic algorithms and to adopt post-quantum cryptography by 2030.

Cloudflare co-founder and CEO Matthew Prince said the company stands ready to aid in the migration.

“Cloudflare has long committed to making post-quantum security the new baseline for internet security, delivering it to all customers so we can bolster defences against future quantum threats,” he said. “Now, we’re offering that protection built directly into our Zero Trust solutions. We want every Cloudflare customer to have a clear path to quantum safety, and we are already working with some of the most innovative banks, ISPs and governments around the world as they begin their journeys to quantum security. We will continue to make advanced cryptography accessible to everyone, at no cost, in all of our products.”

Accenture Emerging Technology Security Lead Tom Patterson added that the world has five years to replace vulnerable cryptography with post-quantum solutions.

“To meet this urgent client need, Accenture and Cloudflare offer a hybrid approach, enabling an iterative, low-risk migration while maintaining compatibility and cryptographic agility,” he said.

Image credit: iStock.com/archerix

Originally published here.