US Issues Twin Orders: Build Quantum Computer and Protect Against Its Threat

The White House has issued twin executive orders to accelerate U.S. development of large-scale quantum computers and harden federal systems against quantum-enabled attacks on encryption.

The goal is to build a quantum computer that could potentially break encryption, but also protect the government's own encrypted data from being decrypted by such machines in the future.

Executive Order 14411 sets out plans for building a large-scale quantum computer called QC-ADDS and delivering it to a Department of Energy facility. The order also calls for the development of quantum sensors and workforce training.

Executive Order 14409 focuses on preparing for the potential threat posed by a powerful quantum computer. It requires federal agencies to migrate their most sensitive systems to post-quantum cryptography for key establishment by the end of 2030, and for digital signatures by the end of 2031.