Q-Net Security
Q-Net Security, founded 2015 in St. Louis, builds hardware-enforced silicon-based network encryption devices (Q-Box) with per-packet keying for defense, government, critical infrastructure, and financial customers via direct enterprise sales and FIPS-140-2 certified deployments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSt Louis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Q-Net Security does
Q-Net Security, Inc. is a privately held St. Louis-based cybersecurity company founded in 2015 that builds hardware-enforced network encryption devices for point-to-point communication. The company's flagship product, the Q-Box (model QBX-100), is a silicon-based bump-in-the-wire encryption device using AES-256-GCM with patented per-packet just-in-time key rotation. The device contains no processor, operating system, or software components, eliminating software attack surfaces and removing the need for patching or endpoint agents. A separate control-plane software product, QPM (Q-Net Policy Manager), distributes access policies to Q-Box devices without handling user traffic, and is offered both as on-premises software and SaaS.
The company's revenue model combines hardware sales of Q-Box units with recurring subscription or licensing for QPM, sold through a direct enterprise sales motion. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts, supported by risk-free demonstrations and customized proof-of-concept deployments. Target customers are concentrated in defense, government, critical infrastructure (utilities, water, oil & gas), and the financial sector. Customers cited in source material include the U.S. Air Force (under a tactical edge communications grant), Tenaska (US energy), and ecosystem references to Thales and The Chertoff Group.
Q-Net distinguishes itself on regulatory and validation grounds: the Q-Box holds FIPS 140-2 certification, aligns with NSA/NIST post-quantum cryptography guidelines, and was the only solution not compromised during a USCYBERCOM 3-day smart-city red-team exercise validated by NCCoE and NIST. The company holds three granted US patents. Operations are run by a small team (1-10 employees) led by CEO John Pyrovolakis, with COO Scott Chaney and Chief Architect Andrew Quirin, supported by board and advisory members drawn from the Council on Competitiveness, Capgemini Invent, Hathaway Global Strategies, and former NSA and FERC leadership.
Q-Net Security firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Q-Net Security
- Legal name
- Q-Net Security, Inc
- Website
- https://qnetsecurity.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Q-Net Security, founded 2015 in St. Louis, builds hardware-enforced silicon-based network encryption devices (Q-Box) with per-packet keying for defense, government, critical infrastructure, and financial customers via direct enterprise sales and FIPS-140-2 certified deployments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Q-Net Security industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Network Security Hardware
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quantum-Safe Network Infrastructure & Migration (PQC-enabled Networking) (HDAGAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Quantum-Safe Secure Messaging & Data-in-Transit Protection (HDAGAGAH), Quantum-Safe Cryptographic Algorithms & Protocols (PQC) (HDAGAGAC), PQC Migration, Readiness Assessment & Crypto-Agility (HDAGAGAD)
Keywords
Where Q-Net Security is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St Louis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Q-Net Security business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Q-Box Hardware Sales: Sale of silicon encryption hardware devices (Q-Box QBX-100 model). The Q-Box is a physical bump-in-the-wire encryption device deployed inline on network cable segments.
- QPM Software Licensing: Q-Net Policy Manager (QPM) software for policy management and distribution. Available as bring-your-own-OS installable software or SaaS deployment. Supports individual or group management of Q-Box devices.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise custom pricing based on deployment scale and requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Q-Net Security product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Q-Net Security produces the Q-Box, a silicon-based bump-in-the-wire AES-256-GCM hardware encryption device that creates an impenetrable barrier between defined endpoints on an existing network, encrypting every packet with patented just-in-time per-packet keying. The company complements the Q-Box with QPM (Q-Net Policy Manager), a control-plane software for centralized policy distribution and automated key management, deployable as on-premises software or SaaS.
Product overview
Q-Net Security offers a two-component silicon-based cybersecurity solution: the Q-Box hardware encryption device and the QPM (Q-Net Policy Manager) control plane software. The Q-Box provides bump-in-the-wire AES-256-GCM encryption in silicon at line rates with patented just-in-time keying, while QPM manages policy distribution and Q-Box registration. No user traffic passes through QPM — it handles only control plane operations. The system requires no agents, software patches, or IP changes for deployment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Q-Box The Q-Box is a silicon-based hardware encryption device deployed bump-in-the-wire on ethernet segments. It encrypts every packet using AES-256-GCM at line rate with patented per-packet keying, providing cryptographically enforced microsegmentation with no processor, OS, or software vulnerability surface. The Q-Box supports up to 2,000 connections per device with traffic mirroring for DPI compatibility and is intended for defense, government, critical infrastructure, financial services, and remote industrial deployments.
- QPM (Q-Net Policy Manager) QPM is the control-plane software component for Q-Net Security, distributing security policies and access rules to registered Q-Boxes and managing connection authorization down to the port and protocol level. It supports individual or group policy management with automated keying and instant revoke capability, and is available as bring-your-own-OS on-premises installable software or as a SaaS deployment. No user traffic traverses QPM, isolating it from the data path.
Quantifiable outcome
- Zero endpoints compromised during 3-day USCYBERCOM smart-city red-team exercise - the only solution to remain unbroken
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Q-Net Security
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Q-Net Security technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Q-Net Security partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.
- USCYBERCOM (U.S. Cyber Command)coreUSCYBERCOM conducted a 3-day smart-city red-team exercise in which Q-Net was the only solution to remain unbroken. No Q-Net-protected endpoint was compromised. Exercise validated with NCCoE and NIST participation.
- NCCoE (National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence)coreNCCoE participated in the validation of USCYBERCOM red-team exercise results. Q-Net's technology aligns with NCCoE and NIST cybersecurity frameworks and guidelines.
- NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)coreQ-Net technology validated through USCYBERCOM exercise with NIST participation. FIPS 140 certification and NSA/NIST post-quantum cryptography guidelines compliance.
- USAF (United States Air Force)coreUSAF awarded grant for tactical edge communications using Q-Net technology. Q-Net secures commercial LEO internet solutions and Iridium for maritime and tactical edge under USAF grant.
- The Chertoff GroupmoderateFeatured as an advisor/partner in Q-Net's ecosystem. The Chertoff Group is a security advisory firm providing strategic guidance.
- Power Industry ConsortiummoderateQ-Net Security installed as part of reference architecture for distributed renewables. Recognized as a good solution for handling grid-edge systems.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Q-Net Security competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Senetas Corporation: Sells hardware network encryptors (CN series) for layer 2/3 point-to-point encryption. Closely comparable to Q-Net on physical-layer, in-line encryption hardware targeting defense, government, and critical infrastructure customers.
- Crypto4A Technologies: Sells quantum-safe hardware security modules (HSMs) built on FIPS-validated silicon with crypto-agility. Directly comparable to Q-Net on the combination of hardware-only architecture, FIPS certification, and post-quantum positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Thales: Major incumbent in data encryption and network security, already named on Q-Net's partner ecosystem. Sells hardware security modules and high-speed network encryptors that compete for the same federal and OT buyer budgets.
- Cisco: Sells MACsec-capable network equipment and encryption blades (e.g., ASR 9000), and is actively investing in post-quantum cryptography. Competes for the same network-security budgets in enterprise and federal accounts.
- Fortinet: Broad network security incumbent with purpose-built security processors and an OT security portfolio. Competes with Q-Net for OT/edge segmentation dollars and could replicate crypto-agile hardware features at scale.
- Palo Alto Networks: Network security incumbent with an OT/industrial security offering (Zingbox/Industrial Defender). Competes for the same critical-infrastructure and enterprise security spend, with greater channel reach.
- Atos (Evidian/Bull network encryption): Sells hardware network encryptors and HSMs through its cybersecurity and Bull heritage product lines. Competes for federal and critical-infrastructure encryption deals, particularly in EMEA.
Emerging players
- Waterfall Security Solutions: Specializes in hardware-enforced unidirectional security gateways for OT environments. Closely comparable to Q-Net on the 'hardware-only' philosophy applied to industrial/critical-infrastructure customers.
- Owl Cyber Defense: Sells cross-domain solutions and hardware data diodes for high-assurance government and defense networks. Comparable to Q-Net as a hardware-rooted security vendor serving federal and intelligence community buyers.
- Tempered Networks (now part of Zscaler): Offered identity-based network microsegmentation and encryption overlays. Conceptually comparable to Q-Net's microsegmentation value proposition, though delivered as a software overlay rather than in-line hardware.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Q-Net Security compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Q-Net Security financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Q-Net Security leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Q-Net Security funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Q-Net Security M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Q-Net Security
What does Q-Net Security do?
Q-Net Security produces the Q-Box, a silicon-based bump-in-the-wire AES-256-GCM hardware encryption device that creates an impenetrable barrier between defined endpoints on an existing network, encrypting every packet with patented just-in-time per-packet keying. The company complements the Q-Box with QPM (Q-Net Policy Manager), a control-plane software for centralized policy distribution and automated key management, deployable as on-premises software or SaaS.
Is Q-Net Security a public or private company?
Q-Net Security is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Q-Net Security founded?
Q-Net Security was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Q-Net Security based?
Q-Net Security is headquartered in St Louis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Q-Net Security make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Q-Box Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are QPM Software Licensing.
Who are Q-Net Security's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Senetas Corporation and Crypto4A Technologies. Broad incumbents are Thales, Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks and Atos (Evidian/Bull network encryption). Emerging players are Waterfall Security Solutions, Owl Cyber Defense and Tempered Networks (now part of Zscaler).
Does Q-Net Security have an API?
No public API is recorded for Q-Net Security.
What industry is Q-Net Security in?
Q-Net Security's product category is Network Security Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAGAFAG, Quantum-Safe Network Infrastructure & Migration (PQC-enabled Networking), with a secondary code of HDAGAGAH, Quantum-Safe Secure Messaging & Data-in-Transit Protection. Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 3576.