U.S. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Monday aimed at accelerating the development of quantum technologies and strengthening government defenses against emerging cybersecurity threats associated with quantum computing.
The measures are intended to reinforce U.S. competitiveness in quantum technology as Washington seeks to maintain its lead over China in a field widely expected to influence future advances in computing, artificial intelligence, materials science, and national security.
Quantum Computer Targeted by 2028
The administration is directing federal agencies to support efforts to develop an advanced quantum computer for scientific and research applications.
Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the administration believes such a system could be achieved by 2028.
Quantum computers use quantum mechanical principles to perform certain calculations significantly faster than conventional computers, potentially enabling breakthroughs in areas ranging from drug discovery to advanced materials development.
Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography
One of the executive orders focuses on protecting federal information systems from future cyber risks posed by quantum computing.
The directive sets a goal of migrating key government computing systems to post-quantum cryptography by 2030 or 2031.
Cybersecurity experts have warned that sufficiently powerful quantum computers could eventually break many of the encryption methods currently used to secure government, corporate, and consumer data.
The transition to quantum-resistant encryption standards is intended to reduce those future vulnerabilities.
Pentagon to Deploy Quantum Sensors
The orders also call for the Department of Defense to deploy quantum sensing technologies by 2028.
Quantum sensors could provide alternative navigation capabilities in environments where GPS signals are unavailable, disrupted, or intentionally jammed.
Potential applications also include satellite-based systems capable of detecting underground activity, such as tunnel construction or missile silo development.
Matthew Kinsella, chief executive of quantum technology company Infleqtion, said quantum sensing may reach practical deployment sooner than large-scale quantum computing.
“There’s lots of interesting things quantum sensing can bring before quantum computing,” Kinsella said.
Broader Technology and Security Strategy
The executive orders include provisions aimed at strengthening international cooperation on intellectual property protection and securing supply chains associated with critical quantum technologies.
According to Kratsios, the measures are designed to address risks posed by foreign competitors and adversaries seeking access to strategically important technologies.
Federal agencies have also been instructed to develop plans within the next five years for deploying quantum-enabled sensors and communications networks.
Growing U.S. Investment in Quantum Technologies
The announcement follows a series of recent U.S. initiatives supporting the quantum sector.
Last month, the Commerce Department announced plans to take approximately $2 billion in equity positions across nine quantum-computing companies, including a venture involving IBM.
The latest executive orders underscore the growing importance governments are placing on quantum technologies, which are increasingly viewed as both an economic opportunity and a national security priority.
As global competition intensifies, the United States is seeking to advance quantum computing capabilities while preparing government infrastructure for the technological changes the sector may bring.
Source: DataMagz