CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

PQShield vs SandboxAQ

PQShield is a cybersecurity company specialising in post-quantum cryptography. SandboxAQ is a science-first technology company that connects AI and Quantum techniques across pharma, energy, defense, and other markets. CISO Tribune files both under Post-quantum cryptography and Encryption, tokenization and key management. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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  • PQShield
  • SandboxAQ
PQShield vs SandboxAQ: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
PQShieldPQShield is a cybersecurity company specialising in post-quantum cryptography.pqshield.comSandboxAQSandboxAQ is a science-first technology company that connects AI and Quantum techniques across pharma, energy, defense, and other markets.sandboxaq.com
What it sells
  • PQMicroLib-Core[1][10]A library designed with flexibility and configurability in mind.
  • PQCryptoLib-Core[1][10]A general-purpose cryptographic library for a wide variety of applications.
  • PQCryptoLib-SDK[1][10]A plug-and-play tool for moving OpenSSL-based applications to quantum resilience.
  • PQPlatform-CoPro[1][10]A cryptographic coprocessor that adds post-quantum capabilities to an existing security subsystem.
  • PQPlatform-TrustSys[1][5][10]A PQC-focused Root-of-Trust security solution.
  • PQPerform-Flare[10]A hardware-based PQC product designed for high throughput and low latency.
  • PQPerform-Inferno[1][10]A scalable hardware solution built on the PQPerform-Flare architecture.
  • PQPerform-Flex[10]PQPerform-Inferno combined with a RISC-V processor as a complete subsystem.
  • AQtive Guard[1][5]AQtive Guard gives security teams insight into cryptographic assets and NHIs, then automates remediation.
  • Sandwich[7]Sandwich is an open source, unified API for cryptographic libraries, built for developers.
  • Large Quantitative Models[4][5][11]SandboxAQ offers three ways to access and deploy its LQMs.
  • AQCat Adsorption Spin[8]AQCat Adsorption Spin predicts spin-polarized adsorption energies and converged geometries on catalytic surfaces.
  • AQPotency[10]AQPotency is a Large Quantitative Model for potency prediction and virtual screening.
  • AQBioSim[5]AQBioSim enables biopharma teams to model interactions, predict outcomes, and optimize drug candidates in silico.
  • CardiAQ[11]CardiAQ combines advanced magnetic sensing, AI-powered Large Quantitative Models (LQMs), and electromagnetic interference rejection.
Categories
Headquarters
United Kingdom[2][3]Palo Alto, United States[3]
Founded
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Ownership and funding
Privately held[9]Privately held[2][5][6]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
Not written yetFrom its own pages, SandboxAQ sells to organizations across pharma, energy, defense, and other markets. AQtive Guard is aimed at security teams working with cryptographic assets and NHIs. Sandwich is aimed at developers, as an open source API for cryptographic libraries. AQBioSim is aimed at biopharma teams that model interactions and optimize drug candidates. SandboxAQ provides pay-as-you-go access options for individuals and enterprises.
Last verified
November 2, 2026November 2, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Post-quantum cryptography is the primary category of both PQShield and SandboxAQ; both are also filed under Encryption, tokenization and key management.
  • Both are privately held.

Where they differ, field by field

  • SandboxAQ is also filed under Machine identity and PKI.
  • PQShield lists PQMicroLib-Core, PQCryptoLib-Core, PQCryptoLib-SDK, PQPlatform-CoPro, PQPlatform-TrustSys and 3 more. SandboxAQ lists AQtive Guard, Sandwich, Large Quantitative Models, AQCat Adsorption Spin, AQPotency and 2 more.
  • PQShield is headquartered in United Kingdom. SandboxAQ is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States.

How they differ

CISO Tribune files both PQShield and SandboxAQ under Post-quantum cryptography as the primary category, and under Encryption, tokenization and key management as well. PQShield sells cryptographic libraries and hardware, including PQCryptoLib-Core, PQCryptoLib-SDK, PQPlatform-CoPro and PQPerform-Flare. PQCryptoLib-SDK supplies ML-DSA, Falcon, ML-KEM and hybrid PQ/T schemes for TLS through an OpenSSL provider. SandboxAQ sells AQtive Guard, which discovers and monitors cryptographic assets and NHIs across hybrid environments and automates remediation. SandboxAQ also sells Sandwich, an open source, unified API for cryptographic libraries that supports C++, Rust, Python, and Go. Beyond cryptography, SandboxAQ sells Large Quantitative Models and products such as AQBioSim and CardiAQ, which serve pharma, energy, defense, and other markets.

PQShield is headquartered in Oxford, with additional teams in the Netherlands and France. SandboxAQ is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, and was spun out of Alphabet in 2022. Both companies are privately held.

PQShield says device manufacturers have chosen its PQC IP for integration into hardware security solutions. PQShield has a reciprocal agreement with Kudelski Security and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Consultancy Services. PQShield has also partnered with eShard. SandboxAQ also worked with NOVONIX on battery end-of-life prediction and partnered with AWS, Intel, and Accenture on a PFAS chemistry simulation.

What it sells: PQShield

What PQMicroLib-Core does[1][10]
PQMicroLib-Core is a library designed with flexibility and configurability in mind. A CAVP-Ready version of PQCryptoLib-Core is tailored for embedded systems, small footprint solutions and memory constrained devices.
What PQCryptoLib-Core does[1][10]
PQCryptoLib-Core is a FIPS 140-3 CMVP Certified / CAVP Compliant general-purpose cryptographic library designed for a wide variety of applications. PQCryptoLib-Core is configurable by a secure API.
What PQCryptoLib-SDK does[1][10]
PQCryptoLib-SDK is a plug-and-play tool that helps to transition OpenSSL-based applications to quantum resilience. Software implementations of PQC algorithms are supplied via an OpenSSL provider, including ML-DSA, Falcon, ML-KEM and hybrid PQ/T schemes for TLS.
What PQPerform-Flare does[10]
PQPerform-Flare is a hardware-based FIPS 140-3 CAVP-certified product designed for high throughput and low latency PQC. PQPerform-Flare supports ML-DSA (FIPS 204) and ML-KEM (FIPS 203) and is optimized for TLS.
What PQPerform-Inferno does[1][10]
PQPerform-Inferno is a scalable hardware solution. Building on the architecture of PQPerform-Flare, Inferno integrates multiple instances with load balancing, and can deliver over 1 million key encapsulations per second.

What it sells: SandboxAQ

What AQtive Guard does[1][5]
AQtive Guard gives security teams insight into cryptographic assets and NHIs, then automates remediation. AQtive Guard discovers and monitors cryptographic assets and NHIs across hybrid environments. AQtive Guard automates lifecycle management including credential rotation and certificate renewal.
What Sandwich does[7]
Sandwich is an open source, unified API for cryptographic libraries, built for developers. Sandwich supports the languages C++, Rust, Python, and Go and the cryptographic libraries OpenSSL, BoringSSL, and libOQS, to enable post-quantum as well as classical cryptography. Sandwich composes the chosen protocol and implementation into a Sandwich object, such as a secure tunnel. Sandwich gives developers the ability to change configurations without having to re-compile their code.
What Large Quantitative Models does[4][5][11]
SandboxAQ offers three ways to access and deploy its LQMs. One way connects SandboxAQ's LQMs to an existing chat LLM or cloud environment via the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Customers can deploy SandboxAQ LQMs within their own operational environment and fine-tune models on their proprietary data. SandboxAQ provides pay-as-you-go access options for individuals and enterprises.
What AQCat Adsorption Spin does[8]
AQCat Adsorption Spin predicts spin-polarized adsorption energies and converged geometries on catalytic surfaces. AQCat Adsorption Spin is available via LLM integration and can be accessed via any MCP client.
What CardiAQ does[11]
CardiAQ combines advanced magnetic sensing, AI-powered Large Quantitative Models (LQMs), and electromagnetic interference rejection. CardiAQ is an investigational device.

Questions about PQShield and SandboxAQ

What do PQShield and SandboxAQ sell?
PQShield sells PQMicroLib-Core, PQCryptoLib-Core, PQCryptoLib-SDK, PQPlatform-CoPro, PQPlatform-TrustSys and 3 more. SandboxAQ sells AQtive Guard, Sandwich, Large Quantitative Models, AQCat Adsorption Spin, AQPotency and 2 more.
Are PQShield and SandboxAQ in the same category?
Yes. Post-quantum cryptography is the primary category of both on CISO Tribune.
Where are PQShield and SandboxAQ headquartered?
PQShield is headquartered in United Kingdom. SandboxAQ is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States.
Who owns PQShield and SandboxAQ?
PQShield is privately held. SandboxAQ is privately held.
Who are PQShield and SandboxAQ sold to?
From its own pages, SandboxAQ sells to organizations across pharma, energy, defense, and other markets.

About PQShield

PQShield is a cybersecurity company specialising in post-quantum cryptography. PQShield develops and commercially deploys quantum-ready cryptographic solutions for hardware, software and communications. PQShield is headquartered in Oxford, with additional teams in the Netherlands and France.

PQShield states that quantum computers will soon be able to break current cryptography methods. PQShield aims its quantum-resistant hardware and software solutions at organizations, industries and nations. PQShield says the cryptography that keeps data, devices, connections and components secure must be modernized to align with the new NIST global standards. Public key cryptography, including RSA and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), faces the greatest quantum risk. Post-quantum cryptography can be deployed on existing classical hardware today. Adversaries can harvest encrypted information now and decrypt it later when quantum capabilities mature.[4]

The PQShield team comprises post-quantum cryptographers, researchers and engineers. PQShield says its team has been actively involved in the international standardization of post-quantum algorithms. Customers are helped to evaluate existing infrastructure, determining the risk and agility of the underlying architecture. The PQShield team works alongside, or as part of, a customer's wider team to deploy end-to-end solutions. PQShield products are aimed at vendors building PQC into greenfield and brownfield products. Device manufacturers have chosen PQShield’s PQC IP for integration into hardware security solutions.[4][10]

PQShield has a reciprocal agreement with Kudelski Security, the cybersecurity division within the Kudelski Group. Under that agreement, PQShield will offer expert training and advisory services to clients of Kudelski, alongside post-quantum cryptography solutions for both software and hardware. The agreement includes a collaborative referral and co-marketing relationship to support Kudelski Security’s go-to-market strategy. PQShield has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with systems integrator Tata Consultancy Services to help its clients transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions. PQShield has partnered with eShard, a provider of side-channel analysis and testing tools.[11]

PQShield offers post-quantum cryptography for embedded devices in as little as 5KB RAM. PQMicroLib-Core is a library designed with flexibility and configurability in mind. A CAVP-Ready version of PQCryptoLib-Core is tailored for embedded systems, small footprint solutions and memory constrained devices. PQCryptoLib-Core is a FIPS 140-3 CMVP Certified / CAVP Compliant general-purpose cryptographic library designed for a wide variety of applications. PQCryptoLib-Core is configurable by a secure API. PQCryptoLib-SDK is a plug-and-play tool that helps to transition OpenSSL-based applications to quantum resilience. Software implementations of PQC algorithms are supplied via an OpenSSL provider, including ML-DSA, Falcon, ML-KEM and hybrid PQ/T schemes for TLS.[1][4][10]

PQPlatform-CoPro is a cryptographic coprocessor designed to add post-quantum capabilities to an existing security subsystem. PQPerform-Flare is a hardware-based FIPS 140-3 CAVP-certified product designed for high throughput and low latency PQC. PQPerform-Flare supports ML-DSA (FIPS 204) and ML-KEM (FIPS 203) and is optimized for TLS. Building on the architecture of PQPerform-Flare, Inferno integrates multiple instances with load balancing, and can deliver over 1 million key encapsulations per second. PQPerform-Flex combines PQPerform-Inferno with a RISC-V processor to form a complete subsystem.[1][10]

PQShield products come in 4 security levels to address all use cases. The security levels are tested continuously by both PQShield and external labs for certification.[1][4][5][6][7][8][10]

PQShield on the record

Sources

PQShield full record

  1. [1]pqshield.comPQShield · pqshield.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Pqshield raises 37m in series b funding to deliver the widespread commercial adoption of quantum resistant cryptography 302175607PQShield via PR Newswire · prnewswire.com · published June 20, 2024 · Tier A
  3. [3]PQShield and Kudelski Security Partner to Address Quantum Threat | PQShieldPQShield · published September 29, 2021 · Tier A
  4. [4]Post-quantum Cryptography Experts | Quantum-safe & Quantum-resistant SolutionsPQShield · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Post-Quantum Cryptography Solutions | PQShieldPQShield · published April 24, 2025 · Tier A
  6. [6]We are attending, WEF - Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity, 14 Oct | PQShieldPQShield · published October 14, 2025 · Tier A
  7. [7]We are speaking: Security Privacy Identity & Trust (SPIT) SIG event, Cambridge, 28 January 2025 | PQShieldPQShield · published January 28, 2025 · Tier A
  8. [8]We are judging at - Cyber Security Awareness Week Europe, 7-8 November 2024 | PQShieldPQShield · published November 7, 2024 · Tier A
  9. [9]Quantum Security Company: What to Look For | PQShieldPQShield · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Quantum-safe & Quantum-resistant Software, Hardware & UpgradesPQShield · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]PQShield partners with Tata Consultancy Services and eShard to meet commercial demand for protecting organisations against quantum the threat | PQShieldPQShield · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

SandboxAQ full record

  1. [1]Aqtive guardSandboxAQ · sandboxaq.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Sandboxaq closes 450m series e round with expanded investor baseSandboxAQ · sandboxaq.com · published April 4, 2025 · Tier A
  3. [3]What is sandboxaqSandboxAQ · sandboxaq.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Transforming the World with AI and Advanced Computing | SandboxAQSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Large Quantitative Models | SandboxAQSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Pricing | SandboxAQSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Sandwich - Agile Cryptography for Developers | SandboxAQSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Material Discovery | Turn complex materials discovery into faster decisions | SandboxAQSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]AQNav | Positional intelligence in GPS-denied environments | SandboxAQSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]LQM Models | SandboxAQSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]AQMed | CardiAQ Magnetocardiography for Cardiac DiagnosticsSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]AI Drug Discovery Platform | Computational Chemistry LQMs | SandboxAQSandboxAQ · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

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