Executive Orders: Quantum Innovation and Protections
“Whole-of-government approach” to build quantum capability and to strengthen cryptographic protections
KPMG Regulatory Insights
- America First Resilience Strategy: A “whole-of-government approach” to build quantum capability and to strengthen cryptographic protections to defend against such capabilities by adverse actors.
- Broad Effort: Public/Private effort to cover research, manufacturing, commercialization, and application consistent with the national cybersecurity strategy to protect national security, critical infrastructure, and the digital economy.
- Accelerated Compliance Timeline: Directs relatively near-term deadlines including a post-quantum cryptography pilot in 2027, the fielding of next-generation quantum sensor projects by 2028, and the migration of “high value assets” and “high impact systems” (including those of covered contractors) to post-quantum cryptography standards by 2030 (key establishment) and 2031 (digital signatures).
- Compliance Considerations: Government contractors and organizations engaged in critical infrastructure activities should watch for forthcoming guidance regarding migration to post-quantum cryptography standards as well as consider opportunities to participate in public/private partnerships/research/training.
The Administration has issued an Executive Order 14413 entitled “Ushering In the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation,” which directs a “whole-of-government approach” to accelerate deployment and commercialization of quantum computing, sensing, and networking. This approach is intended to implement the Administration's stated policy to “ensure that the United States maintains a strategic technical advantage in Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) and leads the development of a robust and trusted quantum ecosystem across QIST research, manufacturing, commercialization, and application.”
The Executive Order establishes the “Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC–ADDS) Effort” and mandates certain executive departments and federal agencies to take action, as follows:
- Update the National Quantum Strategy
- Harness quantum computing for scientific applications
- Deploy quantum-enabled sensors and networks
- Bolster domestic quantum supply chains
- Protect U.S. quantum technology
- Expand the quantum workforce
- Engage with international partners
In a related action, the Administration issued Executive Order 14412, entitled “Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks,” which outlines a national policy and strategy to transition federal information systems to NIST-approved standards (federal information processing standards - FIPS) for post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The Administration states the advent of large-scale quantum computers will pose a significant threat to widely used cryptographic security systems and calls out the need to strengthen protections for sensitive data and critical infrastructure. The strategy calls on select departments and agencies to provide guidance on PQC migration, conduct a pilot project covering NIST-owned/operated information systems, and issue rulemakings to require covered contractors to comply with the NIST FIPS.
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|---|---|---|
Requirements | Deadline | Applicable Departments/ |
Update the National Quantum Strategy with policies intended to support the maturing QIST ecosystem, including:
| Within 180 days of the EO | the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST) in coordination/ consultation with:
|
Submit a summary of steps taken to align processes, policies, and programs with the updated National Quantum Strategy to the APST and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
| Within 30 days of publication of the updated strategy | Relevant departments and agencies |
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|---|---|---|
Requirements | Deadline | Applicable Departments/ |
Under the newly established QC-ADDS Effort, develop a quantum computer on a scale and deliver at least one such computer to a DOE facility. | n/a | APST |
| Ensure that relevant capabilities, manufacturing infrastructure, and expertise are made available to support the QC–ADDS Effort and deployed toward commercial, government, and national security applications. | n/a | DOC, DOW, DOE, DNI, NSF and other relevant agencies |
| Identify and publicly release a summary of technical specifications required for a QC–ADDS to perform “transformative scientific applications” beyond current classical computer capabilities. | Within 90 days of the EO | DOE in coordination with APST and other relevant agencies |
| Explore potential private-sector partnership models to understand the potential cost, scope, and time frame for delivery of at least one QC–ADDS and develop plan to encourage contributions for commercial companies. | Within 180 Days of the EO | DOE in consultation with OMB; DOC |
Establish a national center to develop tools and capabilities to assess quantum computing system performance, including a mechanism to share information between agencies. | Within 180 Days of the EO | DOE, DOW, and DOC; ESIX |
| Identify the national security implications of the increasing scale and performance of commercial quantum computers. | Report due one year after the EO and annually thereafter | DNI and DOW in consultation with ESIX, DOC, Secretary of State, DOE |
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|---|---|---|
Requirements | Deadline | Applicable Departments/ |
| Identify at least three next-generation quantum sensor projects to prioritize and field by September 30, 2028. | Within 60 days of the EO | DOW |
Develop 5-year plans for advancing quantum sensing and networking including:
| Report due within 120 days of the EO | DOC, DOE, NSF, and NASA |
Prioritize research, development, testing, and evaluation of applications and hardware for quantum sensing and networking. | n/a | Relevant agencies |
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|---|---|---|
Requirements | Deadline | Applicable Departments/ |
| Develop a plan to strengthen the QIST ecosystem by analyzing supply chains, encouraging private sector adoption of QIST-related standards, and supporting research and development to eliminate barriers. | Report due within 90 days of the EO | DOC, DOE, and relevant agencies |
| Develop a plan to partner with the private sector to develop quantum-enabling component technologies in the U.S. as well as statutory or regulatory hurdles. | Within 120 days of the EO | DOW, DOC, DOE, and NSF |
Take steps to:
| Within 180 days of the EO | DOW, NSF |
Recommend a revised membership list for the reconstituted National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee (NQIAC) and task the NQIAC to develop recommendations for stimulating the development of quantum-enabling technologies. | Within 210 days of the EO | APST |
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|---|---|---|
Requirements | Deadline | Applicable Departments/ |
Ensure QIST activities and policies maintain “robust and balanced” security controls to safeguard critical information and national security. | n/a | APST and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA) |
Propose (to the APST, the APNSA, and the Director of OMB) staffing requirements to expand the Quantum Information Science and Technology Counterintelligence Protection Team (QCPT) to improve and coordinate protections against adversarial threats. | Report due within 60 days of the EO | FBI. Secretary of State, DOW, DOC, DOE, DHS, DNI, NSA |
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|---|---|---|
Requirements | Deadline | Applicable Departments/ |
| Develop a government-wide QIST recruitment and retention strategy. | Within 90 days of the EO | Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in coordination with APST and OMB |
Ensure that QIST-relevant industry needs are prioritized in workforce training efforts and develop an approach to tracking labor statistics for assessing the needs of the U.S. quantum ecosystem. | Within 120 days of the EO | DOL, NSF |
Promote the expansion of post-secondary training opportunities including a network of National QIST Workforce Development Institutes. | Within 180 days of the EO | APST, NSF |
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|---|---|---|
Requirements | Deadline | Applicable Departments/ |
Align international engagements in ways designed to:
| Report due within 180 days of the EO | Secretary of State and DOC |
| Identify and provide recommendations for trade barriers, discriminatory treatment, and policies that may limit competition. | n/a | DOC, US Trade Representative |
| Provide recommendations (to the APNSA and the APST) on how to align existing bilateral and multilateral international engagements to advance the priorities of this order. | Within 120 days of the EO | Secretary of State |
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Executive Orders: Quantum Innovation and Protections
“Whole-of-government approach” to build quantum capability and to strengthen cryptographic protections
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