The White House administration is accelerating US preparations for the quantum era, which could radically change both the computing market and cybersecurity. Washington warns that future quantum computers could make current encryption methods that protect government networks, banking operations and critical infrastructure vulnerable.
The day before, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at accelerating the development of quantum technologies and strengthening the country's defense against future cyber threats. According to the White House, the document sets a new course for American technology policy – from the development of quantum computers to preparing infrastructure for the so-called post-quantum era.
Note that the decrees appeared against the backdrop of growing competition with China in this industry, although Beijing is not directly named in White House messages. Nevertheless, China is now ahead of the United States in certain areas, especially in the field of quantum communications. In particular, about 10 years ago, China was the first in the world to deploy the largest secure quantum communication network between cities: Beijing-Shanghai (about 2 thousand km).
The first decree concerns national cybersecurity. Trump instructed federal agencies to accelerate the transition to cryptographic systems that are resistant to attacks by quantum computers. We are talking about replacing existing encryption methods, which in the future may become vulnerable as computing power develops.
The White House noted that quantum technologies can “destroy many modern encryption methods” that today protect government networks, financial transactions and critical infrastructure. The executive order requires the government to speed up implementation of new security standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and to assess the vulnerabilities of federal systems.
Special emphasis is placed on supply chains. The administration requires strengthening control over the security of equipment and software used in government agencies.
The second decree is dedicated to the development of the quantum industry itself. The document provides for the expansion of federal investment in research and commercialization of quantum technologies, as well as training for this industry.
The White House calls quantum computing “the next frontier of innovation” and stresses that the United States must maintain leadership in this area amid growing competition from China and other technology powers.
Trump's orders include accelerating the transfer of quantum research from laboratories to the private sector, creating conditions for the development of American startups and expanding educational programs to train engineers and scientists.
“Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize industry, medicine, defense and energy,” the White House said in an explanation.
