IonQ to acquire cybersecurity firm Elisity in $1.3 billion deal to expand quantum security

# IonQ to Acquire Cybersecurity Firm Elisity in All-Stock Deal Valued at Up to $1.3 Billion

Quantum computing company IonQ has agreed to acquire cybersecurity firm Elisity in an all-stock transaction valued at up to $1.3 billion, expanding its efforts to develop security solutions for businesses and government agencies preparing for the emergence of powerful quantum computers. Announced Monday, the proposed acquisition is intended to strengthen IonQ’s enterprise cybersecurity capabilities and broaden its access to customers seeking protection against existing digital threats and future quantum-related risks.

IonQ said the deal would expand its channels for delivering quantum technologies and security products to enterprise and government customers. By combining its quantum computing, networking and sensing capabilities with Elisity’s cybersecurity platform, the company aims to build a more comprehensive offering for organizations seeking to modernize their security infrastructure.

Founded in 2019, Elisity provides cybersecurity technology designed to help organizations enforce security policies across enterprise networks. According to IonQ, the company has more than 100 customer deployments worldwide and has doubled both its revenue and customer base year over year. The acquisition is expected to bring Elisity’s technology, customer relationships and deployment experience into IonQ’s broader quantum security strategy.

The transaction’s reported value of up to $1.3 billion includes as much as $150 million in performance-based earn-outs. The number of IonQ shares issued to complete the acquisition will be calculated using a share price ranging from $33.07 to $49.61, according to the announced terms. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

Elisity CEO James Winebrenner will continue to lead the business after the acquisition closes. IonQ expects the leadership continuity to support the integration of Elisity’s existing operations while helping the combined business develop additional cybersecurity products and expand its customer base.

IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi said the acquisition would strengthen the company’s ability to protect critical infrastructure and enterprise networks as organizations prepare for the quantum era. “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,” de Masi said.

He added that IonQ is working to provide customers with a vertically integrated, full-stack quantum platform covering computing, networking, sensing and cybersecurity. The strategy reflects the company’s efforts to build a broader business around quantum technologies rather than focusing exclusively on quantum processors.

The transition to quantum computing has raised concerns about the long-term security of existing encryption systems. Some cryptographic methods widely used today could become vulnerable to sufficiently powerful quantum computers, making preparation for post-quantum cryptography an important consideration for organizations protecting sensitive information and critical systems.

Winebrenner said companies must begin preparing for those changes while maintaining the security of their current infrastructure. “Our customers need to prioritize post-quantum cryptography initiatives while securing existing assets to keep essential operations running,” he said.

He added that joining IonQ would help Elisity support customers in modernizing their cryptographic systems, accelerating post-quantum security preparations and strengthening their Zero Trust strategies. The company also plans to develop hybrid cybersecurity solutions that address present-day threats while preparing organizations for future quantum-related challenges.

IonQ’s acquisition strategy has increasingly focused on expanding its control over the technologies needed to develop and commercialize quantum systems. Earlier this year, the company completed its acquisition of semiconductor manufacturer SkyWater Technology, bringing additional chip design and manufacturing capabilities into its operations. The move was intended to support the development of next-generation quantum processors and give IonQ greater control over its semiconductor supply chain.

De Masi compared the Elisity transaction with the SkyWater acquisition, saying the earlier deal expanded IonQ’s capabilities in chip design, fabrication and packaging. He said Elisity would contribute established enterprise policy enforcement technology and experience deploying cybersecurity solutions at scale, creating another platform for growth and shareholder value.

IonQ and Elisity also expect to identify opportunities to cross-sell their complementary offerings, deepen relationships with enterprise and government customers, and develop integrated security products. Combining Elisity’s cybersecurity capabilities with IonQ’s quantum technology portfolio could allow the companies to pursue customers seeking coordinated approaches to network protection and future cryptographic requirements.

The acquisition comes as businesses and government agencies evaluate how advances in artificial intelligence, computing and quantum technology could reshape their security needs. While practical quantum threats to many current encryption systems remain dependent on future technological progress, organizations are increasingly considering the time and resources required to update long-established security infrastructure.

For IonQ, the proposed acquisition represents a further expansion beyond quantum computing hardware into the cybersecurity market. If completed, the deal would give the company access to Elisity’s customer base and security technology while advancing its strategy of building an integrated portfolio designed to address both current enterprise risks and the anticipated security demands of the quantum era.