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The NordVPN owner has quadrupled its patent count since 2023
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An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter- Nord Security holds over 400 patents, quadrupling its count since 2023
- New filings focus heavily on quantum-resistant and zero-trust systems
- The company invests over $100 million annually to combat emerging threats
Nord Security, the parent company behind the popular NordVPN, has announced it now holds over 400 patents globally, marking a fourfold increase since 2023. The milestone highlights a significant pivot in the cybersecurity industry as providers race to fortify their infrastructure against next-generation threats like quantum computing and AI-driven attacks.
For the average user, patent announcements can often feel like dry corporate metrics. However, in the context of cybersecurity products, this surge in intellectual property represents a defensive wall being built around user data. The company confirmed that the majority of these patents were filed in the US, covering critical areas such as VPN protocols, advanced identity management, and machine learning-powered threat detection.
The sheer speed of this growth, jumping from 100 to 400 patents in just two years, aligns with Nord Security’s reported $100 million annual investment in research and development. It also signals that the battle for online privacy is moving beyond simple IP masking and into complex, automated defense systems designed to withstand computers that don't even exist yet.
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The bet on a post-quantum future
A significant portion of Nord Security's recent research and development (R&D) focus has been on quantum-resistant cryptography. This addresses the looming "harvest now, decrypt later" threat, where bad actors collect encrypted data today in the hopes of unlocking it years from now using powerful quantum computers.
We have already seen the fruits of this labor in consumer products. One confirmed example of this technology in action is NordVPN’s post-quantum encryption system. Integrated into the NordLynx protocol, this hybrid system doesn't just scramble data once; it is designed to change encryption keys every 90 seconds, ensuring that even if a future quantum computer breaks one key, it would only expose a minute and a half of data rather than an entire session.
"Reaching 400 patents in two years reflects our increased investment in R&D and a deliberate shift toward protecting our core technologies as competition intensifies," said Agnė Čiukšytė, lead patent manager at Nord Security.
"Each patent represents real innovation our teams have built, whether that's in encryption, network protocols, or threat detection."
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Beyond encryption, the new filings shed light on where Nord Security believes the internet is heading in 2026: distributed networks and autonomous operations.
The company is developing "zero-trust" architectures that verify every user and device, regardless of whether they are inside or outside a corporate network perimeter.
This is particularly relevant as remote work infrastructure becomes a permanent fixture for enterprises. The patents reportedly cover secure SIM-based mobile connectivity and autonomous security operations that can detect and respond to malicious behavior in real-time without human intervention.
"Every patent represents a bet we're making on the future of cybersecurity," said Čiukšytė. "In 2026, that future is distributed networks, autonomous operations, and cryptography that can withstand quantum computing. We're building defensible positions in all three."
For users of NordVPN, NordPass, NordProtect, NordLocker, NordLayer, NordStellar, and the newly launched eSIM service Saily, these patents suggest a roadmap where security becomes increasingly invisible and automated, reacting to threats faster than manual protocols ever could.
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Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS NordVPN CATEGORIES Cyber Security Computing Computing Security
Rene MillmanContributing WriterRene Millman is a seasoned technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Computer Weekly, and IT Pro. With over two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, he specializes in making complex topics like cybersecurity, VPNs, and enterprise software accessible and engaging.
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