The race to quantum supremacy has triggered an equally important race toward quantum-safe security. As quantum computing transitions from theoretical research to practical implementations, the foundational cryptographic systems protecting cloud data today face an unprecedented threat. Shor’s algorithm, when run on a sufficiently powerful quantum computer, could potentially break widely-used public key encryption systems in hours rather than the billions of years required by classical computers.
This vulnerability has spurred a new category in cloud computing: quantum-safe storage solutions. These emerging services implement post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and other quantum-resistant techniques to ensure data remains secure even in a post-quantum world. For organizations storing sensitive information with long-term value—financial records, intellectual property, healthcare data, or national security information—the need to transition to quantum-safe storage isn’t a distant concern but an imminent necessity.
This article benchmarks the current landscape of quantum-safe cloud storage offerings, evaluating major providers and specialized solutions against critical security, performance, and implementation criteria. Whether you’re a CISO developing a quantum-resistant data strategy or a technology leader preparing your organization for the quantum era, this analysis provides a comprehensive overview of how today’s solutions are addressing tomorrow’s quantum threats.
Before evaluating specific quantum-safe storage solutions, it’s essential to understand the fundamental technologies and approaches underpinning quantum security in cloud environments.
Two distinct approaches dominate quantum-safe security strategies. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) refers to classical cryptographic algorithms that are believed to be resistant to attacks from quantum computers. These mathematical approaches—including lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, and multivariate cryptography—run on conventional computing infrastructure but utilize mathematical problems that quantum computers cannot easily solve.
In contrast, quantum cryptography (most notably Quantum Key Distribution or QKD) uses the principles of quantum mechanics itself to secure communications. Rather than relying on mathematical complexity, QKD enables two parties to produce a shared random secret key known only to them, with security guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics rather than computational hardness.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated a process in 2016 to develop and standardize quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. After multiple rounds of evaluation, NIST selected several candidate algorithms in 2022, including CRYSTALS-Kyber for general encryption and CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, and SPHINCS+ for digital signatures. These algorithms form the foundation of many emerging quantum-safe cloud storage solutions.
Most current quantum-safe implementations employ hybrid approaches that combine traditional cryptographic methods with post-quantum algorithms. This strategy ensures backward compatibility while providing protection against both classical and quantum threats. In a hybrid model, data might be encrypted twice—once with a traditional algorithm like RSA or ECC, and again with a quantum-resistant algorithm like Kyber.
Evaluating quantum-safe storage solutions requires consideration of multiple factors beyond simply implementing post-quantum algorithms. Our benchmark assessment examines the following key criteria:
Cryptographic agility refers to a system’s ability to quickly transition between different cryptographic algorithms without significant infrastructure changes. As post-quantum cryptography continues to evolve and new vulnerabilities may be discovered, the ability to update cryptographic protocols quickly is essential. The most robust solutions offer modular cryptographic implementations that can be updated without disrupting existing workflows.
Post-quantum algorithms generally require more computational resources than traditional cryptographic approaches. We measure the performance impact of quantum-safe implementations across several dimensions: encryption/decryption speed, key generation time, network bandwidth requirements, and storage overhead. Solutions that minimize these performance penalties while maintaining security earn higher rankings in our benchmark.
Adherence to emerging standards from NIST and other standards bodies provides assurance that implementations follow best practices and undergo rigorous security analysis. We evaluate whether providers implement NIST-selected algorithms and follow recommended implementation practices.
The practical value of quantum-safe storage depends on how seamlessly it integrates with existing cloud workloads and security architectures. We assess API compatibility, support for common protocols, and integration with identity management systems and key management services.
The largest cloud service providers have begun incorporating quantum-safe technologies into their storage and encryption offerings, though with varying approaches and levels of maturity.
Amazon Web Services has incorporated post-quantum hybrid key exchange into AWS Key Management Service (KMS) and S3 storage. Their implementation combines traditional ECDHE (Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral) key exchange with Kyber, providing a hybrid approach that maintains compatibility with existing systems while adding quantum resistance.
AWS has also introduced the AWS Post-Quantum TLS (Transport Layer Security) Beta, which secures connections to AWS services using hybrid post-quantum key exchange negotiation protocols. For S3 specifically, customers can opt into post-quantum TLS for all API requests, ensuring data in transit has quantum-resistant protection.
Performance testing indicates the hybrid approach adds approximately 2-3% overhead compared to traditional encryption methods, with negligible impact on most workloads. AWS’s implementation scores high on standardization compliance and integration capabilities but offers limited cryptographic agility beyond their selected algorithms.
Google Cloud has taken a comprehensive approach to quantum-safe security, implementing post-quantum algorithms across multiple services. Their Cloud Key Management Service and Cloud External Key Manager both support post-quantum keys using NIST-selected algorithms. Google’s Cloud Storage can utilize these quantum-resistant keys for data encryption.
Additionally, Google has pioneered experiments with post-quantum TLS in Chrome browsers and integrated quantum-resistant algorithms into their Certificate Authority Service. Their approach emphasizes crypto-agility, allowing customers to choose from multiple post-quantum algorithms and easily transition between them.
Performance testing shows Google’s implementation adds 3-5% overhead to standard operations, slightly higher than AWS but still acceptable for most use cases. Google scores exceptionally well in cryptographic agility and standardization compliance.
Microsoft has integrated post-quantum cryptography into Azure through their Quantum-Safe Migration service and enhancements to Azure Key Vault. Their approach emphasizes cryptographic inventory and discovery, helping customers identify where traditional cryptography is currently used and develop migration plans to quantum-resistant alternatives.
For Azure Storage services, Microsoft supports post-quantum TLS connections and hybrid encryption models using both traditional and quantum-resistant algorithms. Their implementation uses CRYSTALS-Kyber for key encapsulation and CRYSTALS-Dilithium for digital signatures, following NIST standards.
Microsoft’s solution demonstrates the lowest performance overhead among major providers at approximately 1-2%, likely due to extensive optimization efforts. Their implementation excels in integration capabilities and standardization compliance but offers moderate cryptographic agility.
Beyond the major cloud providers, several specialized vendors offer dedicated quantum-safe storage solutions with unique approaches and capabilities.
ISARA Corporation, a quantum-safe security company, offers the ISARA Radiate™ Quantum-Safe Security Suite that integrates with existing storage systems to provide quantum-resistant encryption. Their solution includes a comprehensive toolkit of post-quantum algorithms and implementation tools specifically designed for easy integration with existing infrastructure.
ISARA’s approach emphasizes crypto-agility, allowing organizations to switch between different quantum-resistant algorithms as standards evolve. Their solution scores highest in our cryptographic agility assessment but shows higher performance overhead (7-10%) compared to major cloud providers’ implementations.
Thales offers hardware-based quantum-safe storage security through their Luna Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) with quantum security features. This solution combines physical key protection with post-quantum cryptography, providing a comprehensive approach for organizations with the highest security requirements.
The Thales solution implements multiple NIST candidate algorithms and emphasizes secure key management throughout the quantum transition. Their hardware-accelerated approach minimizes performance impact despite the computational demands of post-quantum algorithms. The solution excels in standardization compliance and security guarantees but scores lower on integration capabilities due to its hardware requirements.
QuintessenceLabs takes a unique approach by combining quantum random number generation with post-quantum cryptography in their qStream solution. This hybrid approach provides both quantum-generated true random numbers for cryptographic key generation and quantum-resistant algorithms for data encryption.
The qStream platform can integrate with existing storage systems to enhance security with quantum technology. Their approach scores well in cryptographic strength but shows moderate performance overhead (5-8%) and requires additional hardware for full functionality.
Our benchmark testing of quantum-safe storage solutions reveals important performance characteristics and practical considerations for organizations planning quantum-safe migrations.
Data throughput testing across all evaluated solutions shows that post-quantum encryption generally reduces storage operation speeds by 1-10% compared to traditional encryption, depending on the implementation and algorithm chosen. The performance gap is most pronounced in lattice-based approaches like Kyber, while hash-based signatures like SPHINCS+ show greater overhead but offer stronger security assurances.
Among major cloud providers, Microsoft Azure demonstrates the best performance with just 1-2% overhead, followed by AWS (2-3%) and Google Cloud (3-5%). Specialized solutions show higher overhead but may offer compensating advantages in security or functionality.
Post-quantum algorithms generally require larger key sizes and signatures than traditional cryptography, impacting both storage requirements and bandwidth needs. Lattice-based approaches like Kyber and Dilithium offer the best balance between security and efficiency, with key sizes approximately 2-3 times larger than RSA or ECC equivalents.
Organizations with bandwidth-constrained environments should consider this impact when selecting quantum-safe storage solutions. The increased key and certificate sizes may particularly affect edge computing scenarios and IoT applications connecting to quantum-safe cloud storage.
Transitioning to quantum-safe storage presents several implementation challenges that organizations must navigate.
Before migrating to quantum-safe storage, organizations must conduct a comprehensive cryptographic inventory to identify all systems using traditional cryptography. This assessment should document encryption algorithms, key lengths, certificate lifetimes, and cryptographic protocols across all storage systems and data flows.
Microsoft Azure’s Quantum-Safe Migration service offers tools for this discovery process, while specialized vendors like ISARA provide consulting services and tools specifically for cryptographic inventory assessment. This inventory becomes the foundation for prioritizing quantum-safe migrations based on data sensitivity and shelf life.
Most organizations should adopt a hybrid implementation approach that layers quantum-resistant algorithms alongside traditional cryptography. This strategy avoids the risks of transitioning directly to relatively new post-quantum algorithms while still providing protection against future quantum threats.
AWS’s hybrid post-quantum TLS implementation exemplifies this approach, using traditional ECDHE alongside Kyber for key exchange. This hybrid model ensures systems remain secure against both conventional and quantum attacks during the transition period.
Organizations implementing quantum-safe storage must address backward compatibility with existing systems and external partners. Not all clients, applications, or third-party systems will support post-quantum algorithms immediately, requiring careful planning for interoperability.
Solutions like Google Cloud’s post-quantum TLS offer fallback mechanisms that default to traditional cryptography when connecting with systems that don’t support quantum-resistant algorithms. This approach allows progressive implementation without breaking existing workflows.
The quantum-safe storage landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with several key trends shaping future developments.
NIST’s post-quantum cryptography standardization process is moving toward final standards publication, expected to be completed by 2024-2025. Once finalized, these standards will likely accelerate adoption of quantum-safe technologies across cloud providers and enterprises. Organizations planning quantum-safe migrations should monitor this standardization progress and ensure their selected solutions align with emerging standards.
Future quantum-safe storage solutions will increasingly incorporate quantum random number generators (QRNGs) to enhance key generation security. Unlike algorithmic pseudo-random number generators, QRNGs produce truly random numbers based on quantum processes, providing stronger foundations for cryptographic keys.
QuintessenceLabs already demonstrates this approach with their qStream platform, and we expect major cloud providers to integrate similar capabilities as quantum technology becomes more accessible. This development will add another layer of quantum security beyond algorithm resistance.
While current quantum-safe storage primarily focuses on post-quantum cryptography, the future will likely see greater integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks. These networks use quantum mechanics principles to securely distribute encryption keys with physical security guarantees.
China has already deployed a national QKD backbone network spanning over 4,600 kilometers, while the EU, US, and other regions are developing similar infrastructure. As these networks expand, we expect cloud storage providers to offer QKD-secured options for their highest security tiers, particularly for government and financial clients.
The emergence of quantum-safe cloud storage solutions represents a critical evolution in data security as quantum computing advances toward practical threat capabilities. Our benchmark analysis reveals a maturing ecosystem of both integrated offerings from major cloud providers and specialized solutions from security-focused vendors.
For most organizations, the question is no longer whether to implement quantum-safe storage but how and when to begin the transition. Data with long-term sensitivity—including intellectual property, financial records, healthcare information, and government data—should prioritize quantum-safe protection now, as the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat means data encrypted today could be compromised once powerful quantum computers become available.
Among current offerings, AWS provides the most seamless integration for existing customers, while Google Cloud offers superior cryptographic agility, and Microsoft Azure delivers the best performance characteristics. Specialized vendors provide enhanced security guarantees and unique approaches that may better suit organizations with the highest security requirements.
As quantum computing continues its transition from theoretical research to practical application, quantum-safe storage will become a standard requirement rather than an optional enhancement. Organizations that begin planning and implementing quantum-resistant data protection strategies today will be best positioned to navigate the security challenges of the quantum computing era.
The quantum computing revolution is no longer a distant possibility but an approaching reality that demands proactive security planning. Quantum-safe cloud storage solutions provide the essential foundation for data security in this new era, offering protection against both current threats and future quantum capabilities.
Organizations should begin by conducting thorough cryptographic inventories, identifying critical data requiring long-term protection, and developing staged migration plans to quantum-resistant technologies. By leveraging hybrid approaches that combine traditional and post-quantum cryptography, enterprises can ensure both compatibility with existing systems and protection against emerging quantum threats.
While no single solution emerges as universally superior in our benchmark analysis, each offers distinct advantages for different organizational contexts. The optimal approach involves selecting solutions aligned with specific security requirements, performance needs, and existing cloud infrastructure investments.
As quantum computing continues its rapid advancement from research labs to practical applications, the security foundations laid today will determine organizational resilience in the quantum era. The transition to quantum-safe storage isn’t merely a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic imperative for data-driven organizations in every sector.
Dive deeper into quantum-safe cloud technologies and connect with experts implementing these solutions at the World Quantum Summit 2025 in Singapore, September 23-25, 2025. Experience live demonstrations, participate in hands-on workshops, and develop practical strategies for quantum security implementation.
Register Now or explore sponsorship opportunities to showcase your quantum solutions.
World Quantum Summit 2025
Sheraton Towers Singapore
39 Scotts Road, Singapore 228230
23rd - 25th September 2025
