Thales debuts Luna 8 to help organizations mitigate emerging quantum security threats before they arise

Thales debuts Luna 8 to help organizations mitigate emerging quantum security threats before they arise French aerospace, defense and cybersecurity technology giant Thales SE has announced the availability of Luna 8, a new, first-of-its-kind hardware security module that can help enterprises protect their most sensitive data and cryptographic keys from hackers armed with powerful quantum computers. Luna 8 is available as a network appliance, and will help organizations to modernize their security architecture at a time when they’re facing pressure to deal with the emergence of quantum computing threats. The launch comes just weeks after the U.S. and French governments issued new directives that set concrete deadlines for organizations to implement post-quantum cryptography to protect their businesses. In the U.S., the White House recently mandated that government agencies must adopt post-quantum cryptography or PQC in their most sensitive systems by the end of the decade, while in France, officials have said they’ll stop certifying security products that aren’t quantum-secure by the end of this year. In both cases, the regulations are an attempt to force enterprises to protect themselves from quantum computers before those systems become powerful enough to crack traditional encryption standards. Quantum computers are viewed as one of the most significant and deadly emerging threats by cybersecurity experts today. Whereas traditional computers rely on binary bits to process data, quantum computers use qubits that allow them to perform complex calculations much more rapidly than is currently possible. Security researchers believe that quantum computers will eventually become so powerful that they could crack the most advanced encryption standards in seconds, destroying the entire security foundation of the digital world. It’s this belief that’s behind the emergence of a new trend in the cybercriminal world known as “harvest now, decrypt later,” which involves hackers and state-backed actors stealing massive volumes of highly sensitive but encrypted data. They cannot access the data they have stolen yet, but they intend to do so the moment quantum computers become available. In its 2026 Data Threat Report, Thales noted that HNDL is cited by enterprises as one of the biggest cybersecurity risks they face. That’s why 59% of businesses it surveyed said they’re already experimenting with newer PQC algorithms in an effort to ward off this threat. Thales wants to help those organizations take the next step and start actively protecting their most sensitive data from quantum systems, and that’s why it’s launching Luna 8. According to the company, it’s designed to provide organizations with “cryptographic agility.” It allows them to preserve their existing security controls while transitioning to adopt post-quantum algorithms. Under the hood, the appliance is equipped with a cutting-edge cryptographic processor that was designed by Thales to process both current encryption and post-quantum algorithms simultaneously. Thales said it has put a lot of emphasis on performance, with Luna 8 capable of running cryptographic operations much faster than existing systems. The idea is that the hardware can support even the most demanding artificial intelligence workloads that require vast amounts of sensitive data to run. Luna 8 is versatile too, and can be installed in cloud-based data centers and in smaller on-premises environments. Moreover, it’s future-proofed too, with an upgradeable architecture that allows it to adapt to newer PQC algorithms as and when they emerge. ABI Research analyst Michela Menting said integration, automation and scalability are all vital considerations for organizations looking to upgrade to cryptography to resist quantum attacks. “Luna 8 combines support for post-quantum cryptography with the flexibility organizations need to adapt as security requirements constantly evolve,” she said. To reassure enterprises that Luna 8 is the real deal, Thales said it has been designed to meet the cybersecurity industry’s highest standards. While not yet certified, the hardware is currently undergoing independent assessments to achieve both FIPS 140-3 Level 3 and EU Common Criteria compliance. Thales Vice President of Data Security Products Todd Moore said quantum computers pose an unprecedented risk to existing encryption standards. “Enterprises need to build post-quantum readiness through cryptographic agility,” he stressed. “Powered by our custom-designed cryptographic processor, Luna 8 delivers high-performance support for both current and post-quantum algorithms, while helping customers maintain control over security.” Image: SiliconANGLE/Dreamina A message from John Furrier, co-founder of SiliconANGLE: Support our mission to keep content open and free by engaging with theCUBE community. Join theCUBE’s Alumni Trust Network, where technology leaders connect, share intelligence and create opportunities. 15M+ viewers of theCUBE videos, powering conversations across AI, cloud, cybersecurity and more 11.4k+ theCUBE alumni — Connect with more than 11,400 tech and business leaders shaping the future through a unique trusted-based network. Are you AWS customer? 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