{"id":12975,"date":"2026-06-24T23:35:33","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T23:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/pentagons-quantum-strategy-a-first-step-in-preparing-for-the-future-cio-says\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T23:35:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T23:35:33","slug":"pentagons-quantum-strategy-a-first-step-in-preparing-for-the-future-cio-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/pentagons-quantum-strategy-a-first-step-in-preparing-for-the-future-cio-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon’s quantum strategy \u2018a first step\u2019 in preparing for the future, CIO says"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Pentagon\u2019s new strategy for defending against quantum computers\u00a0will ensure \u201cthe integrity of our systems for decades to come,\u201d its IT lead said Wednesday, but network modernization \u201cis only a first step\u201d in readying the U.S. military for the threat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking at the SAP NOW summit in Washington, D.C., Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said the Defense Department’s new guidance for \u201caccelerating our adoption of post-quantum cryptography\u201d will mitigate\u00a0the danger.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The strategy\u00a0was released on Tuesday, one day after President Donald Trump signed two executive orders meant to hasten domestic development of quantum capabilities and ward off threats to federal agencies\u2019 cryptographic security systems.<\/p>\n

The strategy outlines five \u201cmajor lines-of-effort\u201d: centralize\u00a0department governance, scan for vulnerabilities and develop\u00a0a migration framework, develop\u00a0post-quantum cryptographic algorithms and protocols, integrate\u00a0secure commercial products\u00a0into department operations, and deploy\u00a0quantum-resistant devices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It also sets deadlines: all Pentagon systems must support post-quantum cryptography \u201cor be phased out\u201d by the end of 2030, with all systems supporting new\u00a0standards by the end of 2031 \u201cunless otherwise noted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Davies said these steps are just part of the department\u2019s need to \u201censure the national security infrastructure and the complex supply chains that underpin every mission are robust and ready in an increasingly unpredictable world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other steps\u00a0include\u00a0better adoption of new technologies. Davies said\u00a0the department is \u201cunlocking the full potential of data and artificial intelligence\u201d to improve its operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018We’re transforming information into decision dominance, automating complex logistical challenges, predicting supply chain bottlenecks before they happen and ensuring our commanders and the warfighters have the intelligence they need at the speed of relevance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The Pentagon has also been trying to attract skilled cyber-defense workers. In April, the department\u00a0announced\u00a0a\u00a0Cyber Registered Apprenticeship Program that emphasizes\u00a0skills-based hiring over educational backgrounds, something the Trump administration has\u00a0pushed for.\u00a0The pilot is set to launch in July. Davies said the program \u201chas already generated more than 70,000 inquiries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy breaking down silos across industry and the federal enterprise, by reinvigorating our vital supply chains, by harnessing the power of innovation and unleashing the unmatched talents of the American workforce, we will dominate the digital frontier,\u201d she said.\n\n<\/svg><\/p>\n<\/div>\n