New Executive Orders Accelerate U.S. Quantum Computing and Post-Quantum Cybersecurity

The White House has issued two executive orders outlining how the federal government plans to prepare for advances in quantum technology.

One order focuses on protecting government systems from future quantum-enabled cybersecurity threats by adopting post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The second establishes priorities for quantum computing research, manufacturing, commercialization, workforce development, and international cooperation.

Together, the directives assign responsibilities across federal agencies, establish implementation timelines, and call for updates to procurement policies, technical standards, and long-term planning. Although the requirements primarily apply to the federal government, they also involve contractors, critical infrastructure operators, research institutions, technology companies, and international partners.

Why It Matters: These executive orders move federal quantum policy into the implementation stage. They establish migration deadlines for post-quantum cryptography, expand investment in quantum technologies, and begin updating procurement policies that could influence software vendors, infrastructure providers, cybersecurity products, and organizations that serve the federal government.

• Federal Cryptography Migration: Every agency must designate a post-quantum cryptography migration lead, review where cryptography is currently used, and develop migration plans for High Value Assets and High Impact Systems. The orders establish deadlines of December 31, 2030, for post-quantum key establishment and December 31, 2031, for digital signatures using NIST-approved algorithms. The effort is intended to reduce the long-term risk that encrypted information collected today could be decrypted by future quantum computers.

• Procurement and Critical Infrastructure: The cybersecurity effort extends well outside federal agencies. Critical infrastructure sectors will receive guidance as they develop their own migration plans, while proposed procurement changes would require covered federal contractors to adopt applicable NIST cryptographic standards. NIST has also been directed to streamline validation of cryptographic products and, together with CISA, develop guidance for a Cryptographic Bill of Materials (CBOM) to help organizations identify the cryptographic components used throughout their software and hardware.

• Research and Commercialization: The orders establish the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS) initiative, which calls for deploying at least one quantum computer at a Department of Energy facility to support scientific research. Federal agencies have also been directed to evaluate commercial quantum systems, expand work in quantum sensing and networking, examine partnership opportunities with private industry, and identify applications for research, government operations, and national security.

• Manufacturing and Workforce: Several provisions focus on building the infrastructure needed to support future quantum technologies. Agencies will study domestic supply chains, expand access to manufacturing resources, encourage commercial adoption, and examine ways to strengthen the U.S. quantum industry. The orders also call for workforce development through apprenticeship programs, federal hiring initiatives, new education and training programs, and updated labor classifications that better define quantum-related occupations. An updated National Quantum Strategy will be developed to coordinate these activities across the federal government.

• International Coordination: International cooperation and technology protection are woven throughout the initiative. Federal agencies have been directed to work with allied countries on research collaboration, export controls, investment policies, technical standards, and trusted supply chains related to quantum technologies. The orders also expand coordination among national security agencies to protect quantum research from cyber threats, espionage, and unauthorized technology transfer while encouraging continued collaboration with trusted international partners.

Go Deeper -> Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation – The White House

Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks – The White House