Honeywell's Quantum Leap: Logistics Security Meets Quantum Cryptography in Supply Chains
June 12, 2018
Honeywell’s Growing Quantum Ambitions
In June 2018, Honeywell Quantum Solutions, a division of U.S.-based conglomerate Honeywell International Inc., announced its expanded focus on developing quantum-secure technologies for industrial and enterprise applications. At the IQT (Inside Quantum Technology) Conference held in Boston, the company highlighted use cases that extended beyond pure quantum computing — zeroing in on supply chain security and the looming threat of quantum decryption.
With logistics becoming more digitized through IoT, blockchain, and cloud orchestration, Honeywell pointed out that today’s encryption standards would likely be broken by large-scale quantum computers within the next 10 to 15 years. The implication: supply chains must prepare now by adopting post-quantum cryptographic protocols (PQC).
The Quantum Cryptography Imperative
Honeywell's message was clear: logistics firms — particularly those with aerospace, defense, and pharmaceutical cargo — must act swiftly to begin securing their communications and operational data against future quantum attacks.
According to Honeywell CTO Dr. Darius Adamczyk, “Any system using RSA, ECC, or other asymmetric cryptography will be vulnerable once quantum computers reach sufficient scale. That includes cargo tracking, customs documentation, and real-time routing instructions.”
Key risks included:
Tampering with electronic bills of lading (eBoLs)
Intercepting warehouse-to-fleet commands
Spoofing port authority communications
Altering smart contract execution on logistics blockchains
Honeywell advocated for the integration of quantum-resistant algorithms into IoT devices used across warehouses, shipping depots, and autonomous vehicle fleets.
Experimenting with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
During a live demonstration at the IQT Conference on June 12, Honeywell revealed a pilot test in which it had successfully implemented Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) between two mock logistics nodes — simulating secure comms between a port warehouse and a regional fulfillment center.
QKD, unlike traditional encryption, uses the principles of quantum mechanics to transmit cryptographic keys. Any attempt to intercept the key automatically alters its state, making detection of eavesdropping inherent.
Honeywell’s QKD test involved:
Fiber-optic quantum channel simulation
Entangled photon generation for key distribution
Real-time quantum key refresh every 2 seconds
While the experiment was conducted under lab conditions, it proved that short-range QKD-based secure communications could be practical within high-value logistics corridors, such as:
Medical supply chains
Military logistics depots
High-value electronics distribution centers
Partnership with U.S. Government for Secure Defense Logistics
Also in June 2018, Honeywell Quantum Solutions was awarded a contract from DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to assist in the Next-Generation Secure Communications (NGSC) initiative, which included logistics-focused applications.
As part of the agreement, Honeywell began evaluating:
Securing DoD logistics data lakes from future quantum threats
Integrating PQC algorithms into existing Honeywell warehouse automation solutions
Running quantum-resilient communications for defense contractor shipments
This marked one of the first government-backed efforts in the U.S. to address quantum threats in real-world supply chains.
Transitioning to Post-Quantum Cryptography
While QKD offered strong security, Honeywell acknowledged the limited scalability of photon-based systems across the open internet or satellite links. Thus, it also emphasized the need for software-level PQC adoption.
In collaboration with NIST’s Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization Project, Honeywell evaluated quantum-resistant algorithms such as:
CRYSTALS-Kyber (for key encapsulation)
Dilithium (for digital signatures)
BIKE (Bit Flipping Key Encapsulation)
Honeywell’s June report outlined a roadmap to integrate PQC into its logistics-related product suite, including:
Honeywell Intelligrated warehouse control systems
Secure middleware for OT/IT convergence
Supply chain visibility platforms that link with ERP systems
Preparing Logistics Ecosystems for Quantum Risk
In a panel discussion at the June conference, Honeywell cybersecurity strategist Melissa Barnes emphasized that the shift to quantum-safe infrastructure must begin immediately, given long procurement and certification cycles in logistics.
Key takeaways for logistics operators included:
Start a quantum risk audit for all data flows, particularly those involving 3rd parties
Upgrade firmware in fleet and warehouse IoT to accept PQC patching
Prepare for hybrid cryptography stacks: running classical and post-quantum protocols in parallel
Barnes cautioned that logistics service providers still relying on outdated TLS versions or using default factory credentials for IoT hardware were exposing critical infrastructure to future data breaches.
International Cooperation and Supply Chain Standards
By June 2018, Honeywell had initiated talks with GS1, ISO, and IATA to begin shaping global supply chain standards that incorporate post-quantum security layers. This included:
Digitally signed waybills with PQC-compliant signatures
Secure chain-of-custody logs for pharmaceutical cold chain compliance
Quantum-proof API endpoints for intermodal container tracking
Honeywell also contributed to the early draft of ISO/TC 307, the technical committee working on blockchain and distributed ledger technologies for supply chains — urging that PQC be baked in from the start.
Competitive Landscape: IBM, ID Quantique, and China
While Honeywell made headlines in the U.S., other players were moving in parallel:
IBM in June 2018 launched the beta version of Quantum Safe Crypto Services aimed at financial and logistics clients.
ID Quantique (Switzerland) expanded deployment of its commercial QKD hardware for secure telecom, with applications in customs and cross-border shipping.
China’s QuantumCTek pushed forward with its national quantum communications network, including secure links between Shanghai and major logistics hubs — reportedly used for sensitive state shipments.
Honeywell’s focus on industrial-scale logistics security — versus financial or general-purpose communications — gave it a unique market position.
Conclusion: Quantum Security Will Define the Future of Logistics
Honeywell’s quantum push in June 2018 spotlighted a critical but under-discussed aspect of logistics transformation: the invisible, yet vital, security layer that ensures data integrity across a rapidly digitizing industry.
By championing post-quantum cryptography, supporting government defense supply chains, and preparing commercial warehouse and transport systems for Q-Day (the moment quantum computers break classical encryption), Honeywell took an early leadership stance.
As logistics operations become more autonomous, connected, and AI-driven, trust in data flows becomes non-negotiable. Quantum-safe systems are no longer speculative luxuries — they’re an inevitable necessity.