XQ is a data‑centric Zero Trust security and governance platform that protects sensitive data at the data layer itself—independent of network location, application, cloud provider, or endpoint. XQ enforces encryption, access control, policy, and audit directly on the data, ensuring that data remains protected even when it moves, is shared, or is stored across untrusted environments.

Unlike perimeter‑based or identity‑only security models, XQ assumes breach and enforces continuous, policy‑driven control over data access and use.

XQ’s mission is to safeguard data everywhere, empowering businesses to drive agility and innovation while protecting their reputation, customer trust, and compliance. They aim to make data self-defending across all environments while simplifying compliance and reducing risk.

* Making Data Security Easier: XQ’s platform simplifies the job of protecting data
* Automate Governance: XQ automates understanding what data an organization has and who can access it

XQ envisions a world where businesses can innovate without compromising security, powered by a platform that enables real-time data classification and protection.

Zero Trust Data is XQ’s approach to data security that assumes no implicit trust and continuously validates every transaction. It unifies security and compliance across environments with the ability to switch data access on and off remotely with a “control leash” to automatically stop cyber attacks and provide compliance.

Data Access Governance (DAG): Real-time data governance controls
Sovereign Data Access Control (DAC): Record-level and geo-access controls
Sensitive Data Discovery & Traceability: Secure chain of custody monitoring
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Control leash enforced by zero trust data encryption

XQ protects data across:
Cloud environments
Edge systems
Hybrid infrastructures
Email systems
Databases
File sharing platforms
VPN replacement solutions
Disconnected Environments
IOT

XQ provides Data Rights Management at the record level everywhere data goes, with 74% improvement in data control capabilities through attribute-based tagging, role-based access control, encryption, and geo-restriction in one unified platform.

XQ uses zero knowledge encryption where even cloud-managed services cannot access data secured by XQ. Local key custodians within each jurisdiction enforce geofenced access, ensuring sensitive data is only available within authorized regions.

Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) determines access to data based on the contents , tags, classification and environment of the data itself. ABAC and Data Rights Management at the record level helps maintain Context-Based Access Control and Compliance, providing traceability and secure chain of custody from the source.

The control leash is XQ’s remote enforcement capability that allows organizations to switch data access on and off remotely, automatically stopping cyber attacks and ensuring compliance through zero knowledge encryption and policies for each individual data object.

XQ enables CMMC certification without requiring organizations to move to GCC High (Government Community Cloud High). The platform provides the necessary data protection and compliance controls while maintaining flexibility in cloud deployment.

XQ prevents GDPR infractions and fines by:
Restricting all 3rd party data access and exfiltration to non-GDPR compliant regions
Enabling clients to encrypt all cloud data while storing keys within on-premises European infrastructure
Ensuring data cannot be accessed by US authorities via subpoena without client knowledge and consent
Leveraging global data localization requirements per the SHREMS II ruling
What is XQ’s approach to data sovereignty?
XQ provides cloud-managed services that cannot access secured data, with local key custodians within each jurisdiction enforcing geofenced access. This ensures sensitive data remains only within authorized regions and prevents unauthorized international data transfers.

XQ is part of AWS’s Zero Trust for Government Partnership (ZTAG). The solution aligns to the NIST Zero Trust Framework with XQ fulfilling the Zero Trust Data component specifically for government applications.

Government and Defense
Healthcare (HIPAA compliance)
Financial Services (FINRA compliance)
Industrial/Manufacturing (IEC 62443)
Education
Any organization requiring GDPR compliance

XQ protects files from ransomware extortion through its Zero Trust Data Security approach, preventing insider threat data exfiltration and stopping what they call the “Snowden Effect” of unauthorized data access. By separating data and network control XQ allows for remote access control of data. This remote access control allows exfiltrated data tyo be turned into ‘digital dust’, removing the attackers ability to extort the victim.

Integrating XQ’s Zero Trust Data Platform significantly enhances Microsoft Purview’s capabilities by adding advanced data protection, encryption, and access control features.

XQ Vault is a quantum-resistant file storage solution that works with S3 and Azure Blob storage, providing enhanced security for data analytics, particularly in government and defense applications.

The XQ Zero Trust Data Protection Platform management portal is available at https://manage.xqmsg.com/.

Recent blog articles cover:
Data Sovereignty Governance for Secure Cloud Adoption
How Zero Trust Data Meets IEC 62443 Regulations
Ransomware Protection and Zero Trust Data Security
Enhancing Microsoft Purview with XQ’s Platform
AI Analytics for Government & Defense
Industrial Security and the Purdue Model
Cybersecurity Gap Analysis in Data Protection
Creating Zero Trust Data Privacy and Security Programs

The XQ blog is available at https://xqmsg.co/xq-blog.

Website Contact: https://xqmsg.co/contact-us
Help Center: https://docs.xqmsg.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xqmsg
Twitter/X: https://x.com/xqmsg

AWS
Microsoft Azure (including Azure Blob storage)
Google
Linux

XQ can serve as a VPN replacement and enhance existing security infrastructure rather than requiring complete replacement. XQ replaces software in many categories.

Estimated Annual Savings
Compliance Zero Trust, NIST, HIPAA, ITAR
$1.5M – $6.5M
Data Loss Prevention
$1M – $3.3M
Files Security and Governance
$325K – $910K
Database Security
$400K–$1.1M+
Migration
$100K–$300K
Ransomware Protection
$1.5 – $4.8M
Data Sovereignty
$520K – $1.68M

Yes, XQ offers quantum-resistant encryption capabilities, particularly in their Vault solution for long-term data protection.

Email communications
File sharing and storage
Database records
Form data
IoT Data
Snowflake Data
Datalake data
Satellite data
Cloud storage contents
Any digital data asset across hybrid environments

XQ provides:
Real-time monitoring of data access and movement
Secure chain of custody tracking
Data provenance and residency reporting
Compliance reporting across all environments

XQ’s unique differentiators include:
Record-level data rights management
Geographic access controls (geo-fencing)
Remote data access control (“control leash”)
Zero knowledge encryption where even cloud providers cannot access data
Unified platform combining multiple security and compliance functions

Organizations struggle to securely share and govern sensitive data across:
Multi‑cloud and hybrid environments
Third‑party vendors and contractors
BYOD and unmanaged devices
Disconnected, edge, and tactical environments
AI, analytics, and data fabric architectures
Traditional tools (DLP, IAM, CASB, network segmentation) do not travel with the data. Once data leaves a trusted boundary, security and governance are lost.
XQ solves this by making the data itself the control plane.

Standard encryption protects data only:
At rest (storage‑level encryption)
In transit (TLS)
Once decrypted for use, data is exposed.
XQ provides persistent, object‑level encryption with:
Externalized key management
Policy‑based decryption
Continuous access validation
Real‑time revocation
Data remains encrypted before, during, and after use, and access is granted only when policy conditions are met.

Zero Trust Data Security applies Zero Trust principles directly to data:
Never trust implicit access
Always verify context and policy
Enforce least privilege at the data layer
Assume breach at all times
XQ operationalizes the DoD Zero Trust Data Pillar by enforcing security, governance, and audit at the data object level rather than relying on perimeter controls.

Encryption keys are never stored with the data
Customer-controlled or sovereign key stores
Immediate access revocation without data migration

Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Policies enforced at query, record, or object level
Context-aware decisions (user, role, purpose, location, device, mission)

No implicit trust for applications, users, or services
Continuous validation for every access request
Works with analytics engines, data warehouses, and BI tools

XQ supports database protection for:
Relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle)
Cloud-native databases and warehouses
Distributed and federated data architectures
Data fabrics and data mesh environments

XQ helps organizations meet database-related compliance requirements including:
NIST 800-53 / 800-171 controls for data protection
DoD Zero Trust Data Pillar requirements
HIPAA safeguards for PHI
GDPR data minimization and access control
PCI DSS protection of cardholder data

Safe sharing with third parties and contractors
Controlled access to replicas and read-only datasets
Protection for cross-border and multi-cloud deployments
By enforcing security at the data object level, XQ ensures databases remain protected even when credentials are compromised, perimeter defenses fail, or data is copied outside approved systems.