American Binary: Why “Mostly Post Quantum” Is Another Way to Say Vulnerable
In recent years, the excitement around quantum computing has led many organizations to claim that their cybersecurity stacks are now "quantum safe." This has often been done by adding a hybrid post-quantum key exchange to otherwise unchanged products accompanied by flashy presentations. However, the reality for many Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) is that these claims require deeper scrutiny. At American Binary, the notion of a "mostly post-quantum" approach has become a catalyst for innovation and a clear call to address vulnerabilities in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Cris Salas, the Executive Vice President of Sales at American Binary, articulated this perspective during a detailed presentation in July. American Binary, operating under Ambit, Inc., was founded by personnel with backgrounds in national security and technology, targeting robust post-quantum network security solutions. Their client base includes federal agencies, defense contractors, and operators of critical infrastructure—entities for whom security cannot be compromised.
The company’s position is rooted in a troubling reality known as "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later." This approach doesn’t necessitate the existence of a fully functional quantum computer; it suggests that adversaries can collect encrypted data, including sensitive financial records and personally identifiable information (PII), with the intention of decrypting it once quantum computing capabilities advance. This poses a unique risk: organizations may not even be aware when their sensitive data has been compromised, as adversaries can profit from the silence surrounding such breaches.
Partial Compliance Is Failure
What sets American Binary apart is its adherence to the stringent standards established by the National Security Agency (NSA) through the Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) 2.0 guidelines. These guidelines specify that all network equipment must support post-quantum cryptography by January 2026, with an emphasis on maximum security. Salas stressed that partial compliance is wholly insufficient; under the CNSA criteria, three out of four applicable components do not equate to a secure solution. Attackers often exploit weaknesses in the overall system, showing that robust security is only as strong as its weakest link.
American Binary’s flagship product, Ambit Client, is noteworthy as it spans all four requisite components of CNSA 2.0: authentication, key exchange, bulk encryption, and hashing, employing ML-KEM-1024, AES-256-GCM, and SHA2-512 respectively. Unlike many competitors who still rely on older cryptographic methods, Ambit Client is engineered for complete quantum resistance.
Rigorous Validation of Claims
American Binary distinguishes itself through its commitment to rigorous validation of its cryptographic construction. Rather than relying solely on marketing promises, the company subjected its technology to a symbolic proof, validated by independent third-party reviewers with a reputation for expertise in cryptography. This external validation is a critical differentiator.
The insights of respected figures such as Dr. Joe Kiniry and Dr. Tom Shrimpton from Galois, who noted that “No known VPN post quantum or classical… has been subjected to specification and formal verification of comparable depth,” reflect the substantial differences between American Binary’s approach and the typical industry norm.
In addition, Oracle’s Cryptography Review Board has validated the Ambit Client in line with NIST and NSA regulations, further solidifying American Binary’s credibility in the space. The advisory team’s depth, including prominent figures in cryptography like Bruce Schneier and Whitfield Diffie, underscores the high stakes surrounding cryptographic endorsements.
Performance Concerns Addressed
Concerns about post-quantum systems affecting performance and increasing overhead are commonly voiced among network teams. Salas countered such arguments by explaining that American Binary’s innovations also enhance efficiency. Their construction reduces handshake packet size dramatically, which is crucial for mobile or bandwidth-limited environments.
By leveraging advanced techniques such as Vector Packet Processing, American Binary claims to achieve throughput levels that are significantly higher than those of competitors. These claims demonstrate the company’s technical prowess, showing not only that post-quantum technologies can be implemented effectively but also that they can outperform existing systems.
Strategic Transitioning to Quantum Resistance
Salas argues for a more efficient strategy for transitioning to a fully quantum-resistant architecture, framing it as a one-time implementation rather than a sequence of hybrid migrations. The inherent agility of Ambit Client allows for a future-proof approach, as it can evolve alongside changing cryptographic standards with minimal friction.
American Binary offers organizations a compelling value proposition: ensure your cryptographic frameworks are robust and adaptable today to eliminate the need for repeated installations in the future.
What CISOs Need to Consider
In a landscape where numerous vendors make bold claims, CISOs have ample reason to approach vendors like American Binary with an open mind. Key considerations include:
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Audit Existing Claims: Ensuring that all components of CNSA 2.0 are covered is essential for organizations aiming for rigorous security postures. Vendors should provide explicit confirmations of which components are met.
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Pilot Testing: American Binary allows security leaders to conduct low-risk pilots, letting organizations test the technology alongside existing systems without significant disruptions.
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External Validation Review: CISOs should take the time to assess the third-party validation of technologies prior to making commitments, giving them defensible positions rather than relying solely on vendor assurances.
- Financial Modeling: Evaluating the cost implications of a hybrid transition versus a single comprehensive migration can reveal significant savings over time, allowing organizations to minimize future expenses.
CISOs face a pivotal choice regarding the full transition to post-quantum cryptography. The math and the impending threats have already dictated that such a migration is inevitable. The pressing question becomes not if, but how swiftly and thoroughly organizations implement that transition. American Binary aims to be a solution for those unwilling to settle for anything less than complete security against future vulnerabilities.