Overview
- The president signed two executive orders on Monday, June 22, 2026, directing a governmentwide push to build a "scientifically relevant" quantum computer by 2028 and to plan quantum sensor and network deployments within five years.
- One order moves up federal post‑quantum cryptography (PQC) timelines and requires agencies to transition certain high‑value assets to quantum‑resistant algorithms by about 2030–2031 and to appoint PQC leads who must report to OMB if deadlines are missed.
- The Department of Commerce was ordered to run a pilot PQC migration to be completed by December 31, 2027, and CISA was tasked to support critical infrastructure operators through the transition.
- The package ties technical goals to industrial policy by directing updates to the National Quantum Strategy, prioritizing domestic supply chains and workforce programs, and expanding quantum counterintelligence teams to protect research and IP.
- The moves respond to the risk that future quantum computers could break current public‑key encryption—a scenario called Q‑Day—and build on prior federal steps including the 2018 National Quantum Initiative and recent Commerce commitments of roughly $2 billion to quantum firms.