Guest: Simon Ritter (LinkedIn)
Company: Azul 
Show: Java Reloaded
Topic: Cloud Native

Security and observability are two of the most important priorities for modern enterprise software—and JDK 25 addresses both head-on. In this clip from his conversation with Swapnil Bhartiya, Simon Ritter, Deputy CTO at Azul, discusses how Java’s newest release tackles the challenges of post-quantum security while giving developers better visibility into their applications than ever before.

Quantum computing is poised to disrupt cryptography by breaking many of the algorithms that protect today’s systems. Ritter emphasizes that this is not a distant concern but an emerging reality that enterprises need to prepare for now. JDK 25 introduces post-quantum cryptography building blocks, including the Key Derivation Function API, as part of a broader effort to make Java “quantum-safe.” These updates ensure that as quantum hardware advances, Java applications will have the cryptographic strength to withstand new attack vectors.

Ritter notes that security has always been a game of balance — an ongoing race between those trying to protect systems and those trying to break them. Azul and the broader OpenJDK community continue to push updates that strengthen Java’s resilience against emerging threats, from data breaches to supply chain attacks.

The conversation also delves into observability, another key area where JDK 25 shines. New enhancements to Java Flight Recorder (JFR) and Mission Control give developers more fine-grained control over data collection, allowing them to focus on specific methods or functions. This targeted approach reduces the “observer effect,” where excessive instrumentation slows down applications or distorts performance data.

“Observability is vital for efficiency,” Ritter explains. “If you can see where resources are being used, you can reduce waste and improve performance.” The ability to profile specific methods or subsystems makes it easier to pinpoint bottlenecks, cut cloud costs, and improve user experiences. Azul’s own ZVision tool builds on this foundation, offering a visual interface for deep JVM performance analysis—an asset for any enterprise running at scale.

By combining enhanced security with smarter observability, JDK 25 reinforces Java’s position as a reliable, forward-looking platform built for the next generation of enterprise computing. As organizations embrace cloud-native and AI-driven architectures, these features ensure Java remains not just relevant but essential.