President Donald Trump signs two executive orders aimed at expanding U.S. quantum computing capabilities and improving government cybersecurity for a “post-quantum” environment, according to multiple outlets. The first order focuses on accelerating quantum innovation and development. It creates a federal effort to identify technical requirements for an advanced quantum computer within a set timeframe and to work toward deploying at least one system at a federal research facility. The order also calls for updates to the National Quantum Strategy, coordinating across several federal bodies and requiring agencies to align their programs after the strategy update.
The second order targets cybersecurity risk from future quantum computing. It sets a goal for migrating key government computing systems to post-quantum cryptography by 2030 or 2031, to reduce the chance of quantum-powered attacks on current encryption. Several reports also describe a counterintelligence component, directing relevant agencies to better protect U.S. quantum research from foreign spying.
Outlets also place the orders in the context of international competition and recent U.S. efforts to organize and fund quantum research and technology development, with mentions of private-sector involvement.
