The threat landscape is changing. As enterprises rush to adopt AI and the looming specter of quantum computing nears, data encryption strategies built for yesterday are no longer enough. NTT DATA and Fortanix are teaming up globally to deliver Cryptography-as-a-Service, a solution designed to protect data not just today, but in the quantum future.
NTT DATA and Fortanix have announced a strategic global partnership to tackle the biggest data protection challenges facing highly regulated industries like financial services and healthcare.
The core outcome is the launch of NTT DATA’s Cryptography-as-a-Service, a comprehensive offering that brings together NTT DATA’s global delivery capabilities with Fortanix’s advanced Data Security Manager Platform.
Today’s CTOs and CISOs are fighting on two fronts:
- AI Data Risk: The rapid development of AI and Machine Learning requires sensitive data to be processed safely. This data needs protection while at rest, in motion, and in use.
- Post-Quantum Loom: The eventual arrival of quantum computers threatens to break current encryption standards, demanding crypto-agility—the ability to quickly swap vulnerable encryption for quantum-safe alternatives.
As Cathy Huang, Senior Research Director at IDC, noted: “Enterprises that fail to prepare for the post-quantum era risk data breaches, operational disruptions, regulatory penalties, competitive disadvantage and a fundamental erosion of customer trust.”
The partnership addresses these risks by focusing on a unified security architecture powered by Confidential Computing technology.
The Fortanix platform isolates and encrypts data even while it is being processed within secure environments called enclaves. This strong foundation allows enterprises to simplify compliance and regulatory reporting while gaining the flexibility needed for the future.
Sheetal Mehta, Head of Cybersecurity at NTT DATA, emphasized the pressure enterprises are under: “Our partnership with Fortanix brings together complementary strengths to mitigate risks across multifaceted environments, while unlocking innovation in AI and preparing for the post-quantum era with crypto-agility.”
Key use cases for NTT DATA’s Cryptography-as-a-Service include:
- Multicloud Key Management: Fortanix’s unified encryption key management across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and on-premises, integrated with NTT DATA’s cloud services.
- Post-Quantum Readiness: Identifies where cryptography is vulnerable, maps out migration plans and ensures business continuity as organizations transition to quantum-safe standards.
- Data Sovereignty for Government & Public Sector: Ensures compliance with data residency regulations through geofencing and secure key storage, supported by NTT DATA’s compliance expertise.
- Secure AI & Machine Learning: Processes sensitive data in secure environments in Confidential Computing enclaves to maintain privacy throughout the AI lifecycle.
- Hardware Security Module as-a-Service: Centralized, secure management of cryptographic keys and digital assets without the need to manage physical hardware.
- Data Tokenization & Format-Preserving Encryption: Maintains privacy while keeping data usable, which is critical in regulated industries.
While relevant across all industries, the partnership will focus primarily on highly regulated industries worldwide, including financial services, healthcare, government and telecommunications.
