Company · Oxford
PQShield sells post-quantum cryptography in forms that chip designers and software teams can drop straight in: hardware IP cores for the ML-KEM and ML-DSA standards, a root-of-trust subsystem, and libraries for embedded devices and servers. The Oxford University spin-out, incorporated in 2018, was a partner in ORCA Computing's Quantum Data Centre of the Future consortium. In September 2025 the National Cyber Security Centre picked it for both categories of its pilot assured consultancy scheme for PQC migration, which runs to March 2027, and in April 2026 it completed an evaluation of ML-KEM for CRYPTREC, Japan's cryptography standards body.
PQShield is an Oxford company working on post quantum cryptography and quantum security, founded in 2018. It is a partner in 1 UK project: The Quantum Data Centre of the Future. Profiled here: Ali El Kaafarani (Co-Founder and CEO).
Sources: PQShield products · PQShield: NCSC Assured Cyber Security Consultancy for PQC · PQShield selected as NCSC official PQC consultant (Quantum Computing Report, September 2025) · The Quantum Data Centre of the Future (UKRI Gateway to Research) · PQShield ML-KEM evaluation for CRYPTREC (Quantum Zeitgeist, April 2026) · Post-quantum crypto startup PQShield exits stealth (The Quantum Insider, July 2020) · PQSHIELD LTD (Companies House)
An ORCA-led consortium that designed and demonstrated how a quantum computer could sit inside a data centre alongside classical systems.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Communications, Networks
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention PQShield.
Seven industry giants, including BAE Systems and Vodafone, have joined forces with Digital Catapult’s quantum innovation accelerator to fast-track the development of solutions that can help solve complex market challenges in major sectors of the UK economy. The programme aims to accelerate the pract
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
ORCA Computing and BT Group recently showcased their vision for the ‘Quantum Data Centre of the Future’ (QDCF) at BT Group’s R&D centre. The project, supported by a consortium of 14 organizations and universities, aims to integrate quantum communication and computing systems with classical data cent
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Software sdk · Available
Software library · Available
Software sdk · Available
Software library · Available
Hardware · Available
Hardware · Available
Hardware · Available
Hardware · Available
Hardware · Available
Chosen by shared specialisms, then location and type.
Company · London · 2 shared specialisms
Company · Leeds · 2 shared specialisms
Company · London · 2 shared specialisms
Start-up · Leeds · 2 shared specialisms
Company data from Entangled Future. News from Quantum Zeitgeist. Last checked 2 October 2026.
Logos and names are trademarks of their respective owners, used to identify them. No endorsement implied.
