Trump Administration Releases Two Executive Orders on Quantum

On June 22, 2026, the White House released two Executive Orders (EOs) on quantum technologies: Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks (EO 14412) and Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation (EO 14413).  Through the first EO, the White House seeks “to safeguard America’s most sensitive data, [U.S.] critical infrastructure, and the digital economy that drives jobs and growth.”  (For further reading on this topic, our Post-Quantum Cryptography: A Practical Guide provides a high-level overview of steps organizations should consider to move toward post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to protect their systems.)  The second EO, in comparison, seeks “to supercharge U.S. innovation in quantum technologies.”  Together, these EOs reflect a continued U.S. government focus on core themes in the quantum space — security and innovation.

Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks

The Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks EO is grounded in one of the fundamental concerns driving the push for PQC: existing encryption standards may soon be easily overcome with quantum computers.  Further, encrypted information that is stolen today could be decrypted in the near future.

In attempting to address these growing security concerns, the EO directs strategic coordination within the federal government for a “national PQC migration policy and strategy,” tasking the Secretary of Commerce with providing “technical guidance on PQC implementation” to federal government agencies.  It further calls for an acceleration of the PQC transition in the U.S. government, directing agencies to transition their high impact systems and high value assets “to use PQC for key establishment by December 31, 2030” and similarly for digital signatures by December 31, 2031.

The EO’s initiatives extend beyond federal systems.  For example, relevant to federal contractors, the EO tasks the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to:

• “publish a proposed rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require covered contractors to comply by December 31, 2030, with NIST’s [Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)], including all applicable FIPS incorporating PQC compliant algorithms”; and 
• “publish a proposed rule amending the FAR requirements and contract clauses for contractor vulnerability disclosure programs to ensure that covered contractors implement vulnerability disclosure policies (VDPs), consistent with NIST guidelines, and that VDPs incorporate reports of cryptographic vulnerabilities, including testing for lack of encryption and the use of non-FIPS approved algorithms.”

In addition, certain agencies are tasked with engaging with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to support critical infrastructure owners and operators as they design PQC migration plans.  The EO also tasks multiple agencies with encouraging “foreign governments and industry groups in key countries” to adopt NIST’s standardized PQC algorithms.

Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation

The Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation EO focuses on encouraging pathways to expand the United States’ competitive edge in the quantum sector while bolstering national security as it relates to quantum technologies.  For example, the EO establishes a “national effort” to “pursue development of a quantum computer at a scale intended to initiate the era of quantum-enabled scientific discovery.”  In doing so, among other steps, the White House tasks the Secretary of Energy to “explore potential private-sector partnership models” and the Secretary of Commerce to “develop a plan, potentially including advance market commitments, to encourage” commercial quantum computing companies to contribute to the effort.  Federal agencies are also directed to develop a plan to partner with the private sector “to develop quantum-enabling component technologies” domestically, and to identify opportunities for deregulation to remove “quantum-specific market hurdles.”

Within the federal government, the EO requires certain agencies to develop five-year plans for the advancement of quantum sensing and networking as well a “Government-wide [Quantum information science and technology (QIST)] recruitment and retention strategy.”

The EO further directs “the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of War and the Secretary of Commerce,” to “establish a national center to develop the tools and capabilities required to accurately assess the performance of quantum computing systems.”  However, the EO does not specify the relationship between this center and NIST’s existing quantum measurement and benchmarking programs.

The EO also includes several internationally focused priorities.  For example, it emphasizes engaging with international partners to:

• “ensure that [U.S.] quantum and quantum-enabling technology companies have access to strategic markets and capital from like-minded countries”; and
• “maintain an international ecosystem of quantum-enabling technology companies with access to trusted supply chains, through, for example, harmonizing investment restrictions with international allies and partners,” among other goals.

Despite the EO’s strong focus on promoting quantum innovation, the White House continues to emphasize the importance of security.  The EO seeks to promote “robust and balanced security controls” over QIST activities, including by tasking the Director of the FBI with proposing “staffing requirements to expand the Quantum Information Science and Technology Counterintelligence Protection Team.”  (You can read more about the FBI’s team here.)

We will continue to monitor these and other quantum-related developments.