{"id":12894,"date":"2026-06-23T03:12:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T03:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/executive-orders-seek-to-hasten-quantum-computing-and-guard-against-its-use\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T03:12:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T03:12:21","slug":"executive-orders-seek-to-hasten-quantum-computing-and-guard-against-its-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/executive-orders-seek-to-hasten-quantum-computing-and-guard-against-its-use\/","title":{"rendered":"Executive orders seek to hasten quantum computing\u2014and guard against its use"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Two two executive orders on Monday aim to hasten the arrival of useful quantum computers\u00a0while protecting U.S. systems from them.<\/p>\n

\u201cInnovation and security have to be balanced,\u201d National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said during the White House signing ceremony on Monday.<\/p>\n

As expected, the orders address different aspects of the burgeoning quantum information sciences and technology landscape.<\/p>\n

One, \u201cUshering In The Next Frontier Of Quantum Innovation,\u201d launches \u201ca national effort\u201d to create a quantum computer that can perform basic operations and improve quantum sensors. It directs the creation of a\u00a0“Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science Effort” at in a Department of Energy facility, while other provisions support quantum computing supply chains, foster workforce development, and explore private sector and international partnerships.\u00a0The order also expands the Quantum Information Science and Technology Counterintelligence Protection Team to study threats to domestic quantum-computing efforts.<\/p>\n

The other order,\u00a0Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks,\u201d pushes the government to move to\u00a0 cryptographic standards that can withstand quantum computers.\u00a0It\u00a0puts several agencies in charge of the effort, including\u00a0the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, and the National Security Agency.\u00a0The National Institute of Standards and Technology has helmed the effort to identify and test new encryption algorithms.<\/p>\n

The order sets a deadline of 2030 to update\u00a0key elements of\u00a0critical infrastructure, and of 2031 for “high-impact environments.”<\/p>\n

Garfield Jones, the executive vice president of Strategy and Research at QuSecure, said the executive order on post-quantum cryptography is an “unambiguous signal” of the need.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The 2030 deadline for key establishment is a tangible compliance deadline, and the gap between where most organizations are today and where they need to be is significant,\u201d Jones said in a statement. \u201cAgencies and contractors that haven’t started a cryptographic inventory are already behind. The organizations that move now will have options. The ones that wait will find themselves managing a crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, who was present at the signing ceremony, said his company \u201capplauds\u201d the Trump administration for both orders.<\/p>\n

\u201cSound policy, sustained investment and public-private partnership are vital to sustaining U.S. quantum leadership and technological resilience,\u201d Krishna said in a statement. \u201cToday’s Executive Orders bring that same spirit of policy and investment working in lockstep to the national stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said quantum computing will join artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductors as the three-part foundation of future computing technology.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is tricky. We’re not there yet. We’re close, but with this executive order and this coordinated effort, we will have scientifically relevant \u2014 meaning error-corrected \u2014 quantum computing during this administration. The impacts of it will be tremendous,\u201d Wright said during the ceremony.\n\n<\/svg><\/p>\n<\/div>\n