How Do You Defend Neo4j Against Quantum Computers?

Neo4j has introduced support for post-quantum hybrid key exchange in its database platform to counter potential threats posed by future quantum computers, which could decrypt current encrypted data. This development is in response to concerns about the "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" (HNDL) attack model, where adversaries store encrypted data now to decrypt it later when quantum computing becomes viable. Starting with the Neo4j 2025.01 release, the platform can negotiate post-quantum hybrid key exchanges for SSL/TLS encrypted Bolt connections if configured with the OpenSSL provider and version 3.5 or later is installed. This key exchange mechanism, known as X25519MLKEM768, combines classical elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman with a post-quantum module-lattice-based key-encapsulation mechanism, providing resilience against potential quantum attacks while maintaining compatibility with existing cryptographic systems. The focus is on protecting the confidentiality of traffic captured today, addressing the most immediate risks while planning future support for post-quantum authentication methods such as ML-DSA and Merkle Tree Certificates. This initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring long-term data security in the face of advancing quantum technology.

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