President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders directing the US government to make quantum information science and technology (QIST) a central focus of national strategy and security policy. The orders, signed on 22 June 2026, address both the commercialisation of quantum computing, sensing and networking, and the growing cyber security threat that quantum computers pose to existing encryption systems.
The first order builds on the National Quantum Initiative Act, which the president originally signed in 2018, and aims to preserve the United States’ strategic technological lead in a field that has moved rapidly from laboratory experiments to early commercial applications. The second order seeks to accelerate the protection of US government systems and critical national infrastructure against a future quantum-enabled cyber attack.
Two executive orders, one strategic objective
Quantum technology derives its power from phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. A quantum computer uses quantum bits, or qubits, to represent multiple states simultaneously. This allows it to solve certain problems far more efficiently than classical computers. Potential applications range from simulating molecules for drug design and battery chemistry to optimising supply chains, modelling financial risk and breaking the cryptographic codes that secure digital communications.
The new directives recognise that quantum is no longer only a scientific research topic. It has become an economic and national security concern. Governments are investing heavily in quantum capabilities because the technology is expected to reshape industries and alter the balance of power in cyberspace.
Under the first executive order, the US government has six months to update the National Quantum Strategy. The update is intended to support an ecosystem that is maturing faster than originally expected, moving quantum systems out of academic laboratories and into data centres, factories, hospitals and military installations. The strategy update will also promote private-sector adoption of quantum standards, support the development of robust supply chains, and identify research and development paths that can carry the technology from prototypes to production.
One of the most concrete elements of the order is the creation of the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS) Effort. This cross-agency programme is designed to deliver a quantum computer at a scale large enough to begin a new era of quantum-enabled scientific discovery. Under the terms outlined in the order, at least one such computer will be provided to the Department of Energy. If possible, it will also be opened to the wider scientific community, enabling researchers across the country to explore complex problems that cannot be tackled with classical machines.
The order also directs federal agencies to identify at least three next-generation quantum sensor projects to prioritise by the end of September 2028. Quantum sensors exploit atomic states to make extremely precise measurements of magnetic fields, gravity, rotation and time. They have potential uses in geological exploration, navigation, medical imaging, national security and scientific research. Alongside this, the government will develop a plan to advance the commercial readiness of quantum sensing, sensor-manufacturing technology and quantum network-enhanced timing. Quantum networks, which distribute entanglement between distant nodes, could eventually enable ultra-secure communications and enhance the accuracy of GPS-like systems.
From research to commercialisation
The White House’s focus on commercialisation marks an important shift. The National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018 established a framework for basic research, with the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) all playing key roles. It created the National Quantum Coordination Office and a subcommittee on quantum information science to align federal activities. While that law produced important research and workforce development, the new executive order goes further by insisting that quantum technologies be deployed and integrated into the economy.
The order calls for measures to strengthen the entire QIST ecosystem. This includes supporting supply chains for quantum hardware and materials, encouraging the private sector to adopt quantum information standards, and ensuring that research and development efforts are connected to real-world needs. It also specifically directs attention to cybersecurity concerns associated with quantum technology. The government wants to implement controls that protect US interests without slowing innovation. This balance is difficult because many quantum companies are operating in a global market, and overly aggressive restrictions could push talent and investment abroad.
At the diplomatic level, the State and Commerce departments are instructed to work with international allies and partners, including the United Kingdom, to align policies and standards. Quantum technology is not developing in isolation; research teams in Europe, Asia and North America are making rapid progress. The US order acknowledges that maintaining leadership requires cooperation with trusted partners while managing the risk of technology transfer to adversaries.
Addressing the post-quantum security threat
The second executive order is aimed squarely at the impending threat to cryptography. Quantum computers are expected to be able to break widely used public-key encryption algorithms such as RSA and elliptic curve cryptography once they reach sufficient scale. These algorithms protect virtually every encrypted exchange on the internet, from financial transactions to government communications to industrial control systems.
Security experts use the phrase “harvest now, decrypt later” to describe one of the greatest dangers. Adversaries can intercept and store encrypted data today, then decrypt it years in the future when a capable quantum computer becomes available. For intelligence agencies and corporations with long-lived secrets, that means data that appears secure today may not remain secure for the entire period it must be protected. For example, documents related to critical infrastructure, military operations, medical records and patent filings could be sensitive for decades.
The order directs the federal government to execute the transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards issued by NIST. NIST has spent years evaluating algorithms that can resist quantum attacks. In 2024, it finalised a set of post-quantum encryption standards based largely on lattice-based and hash-based cryptographic constructions. The transition will require agencies to replace hardware and software across vast IT estates, change cryptographic policies and certificates, and test interoperability with external partners. This is not a simple software update; it is a large-scale modernisation of the digital foundation of the government.
The second order also calls on the government to assist owners and operators of critical national infrastructure (CNI) in conducting their own upgrades. Many CNI sectors, such as energy, healthcare, transportation and finance, rely on legacy systems that are difficult to change. They need clear guidance, technical assistance, and access to modern security products. The order signals that quantum readiness is not just a federal responsibility but a national effort involving the private sector.
Industry sees a turning point
Reaction from the technology industry highlighted the significance of the two orders. Carlos Moreira, chair and CEO of Sealsq, which develops post-quantum security technology, said the order acknowledged that quantum has moved from a purely scientific conversation to one of security and economic competitiveness.
“As governments invest heavily in quantum computing, protecting research data, intellectual property and supply chains from cyber espionage becomes increasingly important,” Moreira said. He warned that “sensitive information stolen today could be stored and decrypted in the future as quantum capabilities mature,” making quantum-resistant security measures necessary now, particularly for organisations involved in advanced research, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and critical infrastructure.
Moreira also argued that securing the quantum ecosystem will require more than protecting research laboratories. It will mean safeguarding the devices, networks, software and supply chains that support quantum innovation. A vulnerability anywhere in the chain, from a chip supplier to a cloud service provider, could expose a research programme or a national security asset.
Stefan Leichenauer, vice-president of engineering at SandboxAQ, an AI and quantum company spun out of Alphabet, said: “The US has a window of opportunity to lead in this domain. It requires coordinated investment across the stack: cryptography, compute infrastructure, data generation and application development. It also requires strong partnerships between government, industry and academia to focus our resources and talent towards a common goal.”
Leichenauer added: “The new White House Executive Order on quantum will provide the spark needed to stimulate quantum leadership and innovation in the years to come.”
A broader global context
The US move comes at a time when other countries are also stepping up their quantum efforts. The United Kingdom has established a national quantum strategy and has been urged by industry groups to provide more government support and faster investment if it wants to lead in quantum computing. The UK’s National Physical Laboratory is running what has been described as the world’s first quantum standards network, an effort to develop measurement and verification techniques for quantum devices.
Singapore has also unveiled plans to govern agentic AI and to prepare for the post-quantum era, recognising that quantum-safe security and responsible technology governance are connected. Other governments across Europe, Asia and the Middle East have launched quantum programmes, funding the construction of quantum computers, testbeds and research centres. The global race is not only about building the biggest machine; it is also about creating the ecosystem that can turn quantum research into products, services and national security capabilities.
For the US, the two executive orders represent a commitment to staying at the front of that race. By requiring a refreshed national strategy, the creation of the QC-ADDS effort, a series of quantum sensing priorities, and an accelerated move to post-quantum cryptography, the Trump administration is trying to connect long-term research investments with tangible economic and security outcomes. Whether those goals can be met will depend on sustained funding, effective inter-agency coordination, and close collaboration with industry and allied governments.
The coming months will show whether federal agencies can translate the orders into detailed plans. The six-month deadline for updating the National Quantum Strategy is the first major milestone. The selection of quantum sensor projects by September 2028 and the delivery of a quantum computer to the Department of Energy will follow. Meanwhile, efforts to modernise the federal government’s cryptography and to assist critical infrastructure owners will continue on parallel tracks, with NIST standards as the backbone. The challenge ahead is enormous, but the orders put in place a framework that could shape US quantum policy for years to come.
Source: ComputerWeekly.com News