Intel and Arqit Quantum have introduced a new cloud security solution that excludes even the creators from accessing users’ sensitive data. The collaboration merges Intel’s Trust Domain Extensions (TDX) with Arqit’s quantum-resistant NetworkSecure technology to strengthen cloud data protection through a concept known as confidential computing.
This solution is designed to prevent any third party—including cloud service providers, Intel, or Arqit—from accessing encryption keys or data workloads, even when systems are spread across multiple cloud environments. The idea challenges the traditional model where users must trust infrastructure providers with sensitive information.
Intel TDX ensures that each Trust Domain (TD) operates in a secure, encrypted space that is isolated from other software, hypervisors, and the hosting infrastructure. Within this secure virtual machine, Arqit’s software creates and manages encryption keys, which are never exposed outside of the TD. These keys then facilitate quantum-secure communications between TDs on different hosts, maintaining secrecy throughout the process.
Arqit CEO Andy Leaver highlighted the partnership as a major stride toward digital sovereignty, claiming the solution gives organizations full ownership of their data security without relying on infrastructure providers. He emphasized that combining Intel’s hardware with Arqit’s encryption simplifies and strengthens the future of confidential computing.
Intel’s Bob Ghaffari also praised the initiative, noting that as data privacy becomes increasingly critical, their joint technology offers a robust framework for safeguarding information at every stage of processing.
The companies point to several use cases for this technology, including secure communications for telecom networks, protecting enterprise edge and AI applications, virtual hardware security modules for critical infrastructure, and facilitating secure data collaboration—particularly vital in regulated sectors like finance, defense, and national infrastructure.
