Post-Quantum File Encryption
for Long-Term Data Security
QuantumGuard implements NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms (ML-KEM-1024) seeded with quantum random number generation (QRNG) for maximum entropy hardening. Combined with client-side encryption, this protects sensitive documents against present-day hackers and future quantum computer threats. Designed for organizations with long-term data retention requirements and zero-trust security mandates.
Security Considerations for Long-Term Data Protection
Organizations storing sensitive information face three primary challenges when planning for long-term data security and regulatory compliance.
RSA and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) are vulnerable to quantum algorithms such as Shor's algorithm. NIST estimates that cryptographically-relevant quantum computers may emerge within 10-15 years, creating long-term risks for data encrypted with current standards.
Adversaries can store encrypted data today with the intent to decrypt it once quantum computing becomes viable. This "harvest now, decrypt later" threat model affects any data with long-term confidentiality requirements, including medical records, legal documents, and classified information.
Traditional cloud storage providers perform encryption server-side, meaning the provider holds the decryption keys and can access plaintext data. This model is incompatible with zero-trust security principles and limits data sovereignty for regulated industries.
Technical Capabilities
QuantumGuard implements a layered security architecture combining QRNG-seeded post-quantum cryptography with zero-knowledge encryption and comprehensive audit trails. Maximum entropy hardening without requiring quantum channels or networked key orchestration.
QRNG-based entropy seeding for quantum-hardened cryptography
- •QRNG Open API-compliant providers (Qrypt, Quantinuum, ID Quantique)
- •ML-KEM-1024 key generation seeded with quantum entropy sources
- •Quantum entropy mixed with local entropy for defense-in-depth key material
- •HKDF-SHA256 seed stretching with automatic provider failover and classical fallback
NIST-standardized algorithms designed to resist quantum attacks
- •ML-KEM-1024 (FIPS 203) key encapsulation mechanism seeded with QRNG
- •Security Level 5 (256-bit quantum resistance)
- •Immune to Shor's and Grover's algorithms
- •NIST post-quantum standardization finalist
Client-side encryption ensures server never accesses plaintext
- •Encryption performed exclusively on client device
- •Private keys never transmitted or stored server-side
- •Server stores only encrypted ciphertext
- •End-to-end encrypted document sharing
Defense-in-depth combining post-quantum and classical cryptography
- •ML-KEM-1024 for key encapsulation
- •AES-256-GCM for data encryption (FIPS 197)
- •HKDF-SHA256 for key derivation (RFC 5869)
- •Backward compatibility with existing systems
Comprehensive logging for regulatory and security requirements
- •Cryptographically-signed access logs
- •Immutable audit trail with timestamp verification
- •Document lifecycle and access pattern tracking
- •Export compliance reports (SOC 2, ISO 27001)
Legally-meaningful signatures backed by NIST FIPS 204 ML-DSA-87
- •ML-DSA-87 cryptographic signature per signer
- •Hand-drawn signature embedded directly into PDF
- •ZK key sharing — server never sees plaintext or DEK
- •SHA-256 document hash stored in tamper-evident audit log
Use cases
Built for industries where data has a long life
Any organization that retains sensitive information for years — medical records, legal contracts, financial data — faces the same risk: data encrypted today may be decryptable tomorrow. QuantumGuard is designed for exactly this exposure.
A regional health system stores 20 years of patient records in the cloud. Today that data is safe. In 10 years, it may not be.
HIPAA requires medical records to be retained for up to 10 years — longer for minors. Records encrypted with RSA or AES today can be harvested by adversaries now and decrypted once quantum computers become viable.
The exposure
Patient records encrypted today with standard algorithms could be decrypted within the retention window — exposing diagnoses, medications, and financial information decades after the fact.
How QuantumGuard helps
Every file is encrypted client-side with ML-KEM-1024 (FIPS 203), seeded with live quantum entropy. Records stored today remain private regardless of future quantum capability. Audit logs are cryptographically signed and exportable for OCR investigations.
Client-side encryption — your EMR vendor and QuantumGuard both have zero access to plaintext
Cryptographically-signed audit logs exportable for HIPAA breach investigations
Secure sharing with referring physicians via ML-KEM key re-encapsulation — no key ever transmitted
Quantum entropy seeding from Qrypt, Quantinuum, and ID Quantique — not PRNG
Compliance alignment
Quantum Entropy in Production
QuantumGuard now deploys QRNG-seeded entropy for maximum-entropy encryption key generation in production. This provides quantum-resistant, zero-knowledge encryption in production today — without requiring quantum channels or networked QKD orchestration.
Entropy sourced from QRNG Open API-compliant providers (Qrypt, Quantinuum, ID Quantique). Replaces classical pseudo-random seeds with provably unpredictable quantum randomness.
- •Live QRNG provider integration with audited entropy fetch pipeline
- •Automatic provider selection and failover (qrng-preferred and classical-only fallback modes)
- •HKDF-SHA256 processing of fetched entropy before key operations
- •Clean audit trail tracking entropy source, provider, policy mode, and fallback reason per key
ML-KEM-1024 keypair generation seeded with QRNG entropy. Delivers deterministic keygen with maximum entropy hardening and zero-knowledge private key management.
- •Quantum seed fetched from QRNG Open API providers
- •HKDF-SHA256 seed stretching with domain separation and entropy mixing
- •Classical + quantum entropy XOR-mixed for defense-in-depth
- •ML-DSA-87 signing keypair for legally-binding document signatures (FIPS 204)
Every key derivation event records the entropy source, provider selection, policy mode, fallback decision, and fetch timestamp — enabling compliance and transparency without exposing raw seeds.
- •policy: qrng-preferred | classical-only
- •provider: qrng | local, with reason for each fallback decision
- •Request ID and provider metadata stored for traceable entropy sourcing
- •SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance audit trail with immutable timestamps
Encryption Architecture
All encryption and decryption operations occur client-side. The server stores only encrypted ciphertext and has no access to decryption keys.
Client Device
QuantumGuard Server
Recipient Device
All cryptographic operations are performed client-side using WebCrypto API and WebAssembly implementations of ML-KEM-1024. Quantum entropy is sourced from QRNG open API compliant providers (Qrypt, Quantinuum, ID Quantique), then mixed with local entropy via HKDF-SHA256 for resilient key derivation. The server maintains no decryption capability and stores only encrypted ciphertext.
Operational Workflow
QuantumGuard follows a three-step process combining QRNG entropy seeding with post-quantum encryption for quantum-safe file protection.
Quantum-Hardened Key Generation
Client fetches quantum entropy from QRNG providers (Qrypt, Quantinuum, ID Quantique). Quantum seed is stretched via HKDF-SHA256 and mixed with classical entropy. ML-KEM-1024 keypair is deterministically generated with maximum entropy hardening. Private key is encrypted using scrypt with user password; public key is transmitted to server.
File Encryption
Each file is encrypted using AES-256-GCM with a DEK (data encryption key) derived from quantum entropy. The DEK is then encapsulated using the user's ML-KEM-1024 public key. Encrypted file and encapsulated DEK are uploaded to QuantumGuard server.
Secure Sharing
To share with a recipient, the DEK is re-encapsulated using the recipient's ML-KEM public key. Recipients use their private key (via WebCrypto) to decapsulate the DEK and decrypt the file. Server never accesses plaintext or key material.
Standards and Compliance Status
Current certification status and regulatory compliance framework.
| Standard/Certification | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NIST FIPS 203 | Compliant | ML-KEM-1024 implementation validated |
| Zero-Knowledge Architecture | Compliant | Client-side encryption enforced |
| SOC 2 Type I | In Progress | Audit scheduled for Q2 2026 |
| ISO 27001 | In Progress | Certification process underway |
| FedRAMP | Not Certified | Not authorized for federal use |
| ITAR/EAR | Not Certified | Not approved for export-controlled data |
Scope of Use: QuantumGuard is designed for commercial, academic, and healthcare applications involving sensitive but unclassified information. This platform is not authorized for classified government data, ITAR/EAR-controlled technical information, or materials subject to export control regulations. Organizations with specific regulatory requirements should contact support@qguard.net for detailed compliance documentation.
For compliance inquiries, please contact support@qguard.net.
Pricing
One plan. Every feature included.
QuantumGuard
or $500/user/year — 2 months free
- Unlimited users, unlimited storage
- Post-quantum encryption (ML-KEM-1024 / FIPS 203)
- Zero-knowledge architecture
- Cryptographically-signed audit logs
- Cryptographically-secure signatures (ML-DSA-87)
- Priority support — 24h response
14-day free trial. No credit card required.
Technical Information
Common questions about QuantumGuard's cryptographic implementation and security model.