In its bid to operate at the pinnacle of innovation and security, the White House has released two Executive Orders (EO) targeting quantum information science, technology and cybersecurity R&D and establishing a new quantum technology policy framework.
The orders direct leaders across several industries – including energy, defense, commerce, intelligence and space – to initiate measures that pioneer the development of advanced quantum-enabled supercomputers while simultaneously safeguarding infrastructure from cyberattacks. The first order – titled “Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation” – will nurture investment in quantum information science and technology (QIST) and cultivate pipelines from development to commercialization and deployment.
Critically, the EO establishes a national effort to create the first quantum computer powerful enough to kickstart quantum-enabled scientific discovery and accelerate capabilities for commercial applications. The supercomputer will serve as a model for the burgeoning quantum technology age, propping up the Department of Energy (DOE) and the scientific community for research and advancement.
The administration has set a goal to deploy a commercially viable quantum computer by 2028, making it a highly ambitious target to achieve. In addition, not only is the government aiming for a functional product within two years, the orders are coupled by a second deadline to transition to critical systems to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) by 2031. Achieving either or both of these goals would represent a monumental achievement, positioning the nation as the leading pioneer in these fields.
To further support these goals, a committee of national leaders will update the National Quantum Strategy over a five-month period to support the growing QIST ecosystem and intertwining scientific advancement with industry partnerships. Industries included in these measures will submit roadmaps for aligning processes, policies and programs with the quantum strategy within 30 days of the order’s publication.
These agencies will also contribute to the development of the quantum supercomputer, offering whatever resources are feasible to advance the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS) Effort. Within 90 days of the order’s publication, relevant agencies will identify the technical specification needed to refine the QC-ADDS’ scientific application performance. Private sector companies will have the opportunity to contribute to the project’s development.
To better ensure the program’s success, various department leaders will work toward increasing domestic access to QIST-relevant foundry resources and strengthen efforts to improve access to these supply chains. This will also include plans to issue grants for establishing QIST user facilities through the National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure program. Other measures include:
Establishing a national center to develop the tools and capabilities needed to assess quantum computing system performance.
Implementing a means to share information between relevant agencies to better assess commercial quantum computing capabilities.
Identifying potential threats to national security caused by increasing scale and performance of quantum computers.
The order outlines actions to develop plans to deploy quantum-enabled sensors and networks over the next five years, starting by identifying three high-priority next-generation projects to field these technologies. Supporting these efforts will require increased investment in expanding the quantum workforce and ensuring the field has adequate domestic supply chains and manufacturing capabilities.
The second executive order revolved around ensuring America has the cybersecurity needed to protect essential information and quantum data infrastructure. Within the foreseeable future, agencies will begin migrating to PQC – leveraging cryptographic solutions to resist attacks from both quantum and regular computers.
Additional measures to safeguard quantum technologies will include:
Publishing guidance to actualize and accelerate PQC migration and transfer high-value assets (HVA).
Initiating pilot projects for the transition to PQC.
Encouraging and helping critical infrastructure operators, foreign governments and foreign industry groups transition to PQC.
Coordinating efforts to discover cost-saving opportunities in the PQC migration strategy.
Requiring contractors to meet certain cybersecurity standards and vulnerability disclosure policies by the end of 2030.
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