Trump signs 2 orders to prepare the US for a quantum future

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Monday that seek to accelerate the U.S. quantum ecosystem with the goal of both safeguarding digital systems and capturing the benefits from quantum computing advancements.

As Nextgov/FCW first reported, the orders address different aspects of the burgeoning quantum information sciences and technology landscape: prioritizing the creation and installation of a cryptographically-relevant quantum computer that can perform basic operations, and kickstarting government migrations to a post-quantum cryptographic standard ahead of the advent of a fault-tolerant quantum computer. 

“These two executive orders, which pair innovation and security, will address those issues as we move forward,” National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said during the signing ceremony on Monday. “Innovation and security have to be balanced.”

Trump said the research and development-focused order — titled “Ushering In The Next Frontier Of Quantum Innovation” — launches “a national effort” to produce a scientifically-relevant quantum computer and further develop advanced quantum-powered sensors as the U.S. seeks to lead in the broader QIST field and in scientific research. 

The directive establishes the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science Effort to foster the development of a quantum computer for scientific research, to be located in a Department of Energy facility. Other provisions support quantum computing supply chains, foster workforce development and explore private sector and international partnerships.

The order notably leverages the U.S. intelligence agency apparatus by expanding the Quantum Information Science and Technology Counterintelligence Protection Team to study adversarial threats to the domestic QIST ecosystem.

The second order, titled “Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks,” tasks multiple federal offices — including the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Security Agency — with overhauling federal cryptography to a quantum-resilient standard. 

Post-quantum cryptography aims to fortify digital networks against the security risks presented by a fault-tolerant quantum computer by swapping out classical encryption for a quantum-resilient update. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has helmed the effort to identify and test new encryption algorithms that are likely to stand up to quantum capabilities.

The directive orders that the code for key establishment and digital signatures within critical infrastructure and high-impact environments be updated to a quantum-standard by 2030 and 2031, respectively. Nextgov/FCW first reported the likely inclusion of this detail. 

Garfield Jones, the executive vice president of Strategy and Research at QuSecure, said the launch of an executive order focused on post-quantum cryptography is an "unambiguous signal" for the universal need to migrate digital networks ahead of time. 

"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,” Jones said in a statement to Nextgov/FCW. “Agencies 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.”

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, who was present at the White House during the signing ceremony, said IBM “applauds” the Trump administration for launching both orders.

“Sound policy, sustained investment and public-private partnership are vital to sustaining U.S. quantum leadership and technological resilience,” Krishna said in a statement shared with Nextgov/FCW. “Today's Executive Orders bring that same spirit of policy and investment working in lockstep to the national stage.”

Energy Secretary Chris Wright described quantum computing as the third pillar that will join artificial intelligence and high-performance computing powered by advanced semiconductors as the foundation for future computing technology. 

“This is tricky. We're not there yet. We're close, but with this executive order and this coordinated effort, we will have scientifically relevant — meaning error-corrected — quantum computing during this administration. The impacts of it will be tremendous,” Wright said during the ceremony.