WASHINGTON, June 23, 2026 — President Donald Trump signed two landmark executive orders on Monday that seek to accelerate the U.S. quantum ecosystem with the goal of both safeguarding digital systems and capturing the benefits from quantum computing advancements. The orders, signed during a White House ceremony attended by technology industry leaders, represent the most comprehensive federal effort to date to position America at the forefront of the quantum revolution.

The long-awaited executive actions aim to protect current infrastructure from a fault-tolerant quantum computer while accelerating U.S. scientific research with quantum technology capabilities. "These two executive orders, which pair innovation and security, will address those issues as we move forward," National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said during the signing ceremony. "Innovation and security have to be balanced."

Order 1: Ushering In The Next Frontier Of Quantum Innovation

The first directive, titled "Ushering In The Next Frontier Of Quantum Innovation," launches "a national effort" to produce a scientifically-relevant quantum computer and further develop advanced quantum-powered sensors as the U.S. seeks to lead in the broader Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) field and in scientific research.

The order establishes the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science Effort to foster the development of a quantum computer for scientific research, to be located in a Department of Energy facility. Other provisions support quantum computing supply chains, foster workforce development, and explore private sector and international partnerships.

Notably, the order leverages the U.S. intelligence agency apparatus by expanding the Quantum Information Science and Technology Counterintelligence Protection Team to study adversarial threats to the domestic QIST ecosystem. This reflects growing concerns about foreign competition in quantum technology, particularly from China.

Order 2: Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks

The second order, titled "Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks," tasks multiple federal offices—including the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, and the National Security Agency—with overhauling federal cryptography to a quantum-resilient standard.

Post-quantum cryptography aims to fortify digital networks against the security risks presented by a fault-tolerant quantum computer by swapping out classical encryption for a quantum-resilient update. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has helmed the effort to identify and test new encryption algorithms that are likely to stand up to quantum capabilities.

The directive orders that the code for key establishment and digital signatures within critical infrastructure and high-impact environments be updated to a quantum-standard by 2030 and 2031, respectively.

Industry Response

The technology industry has largely welcomed the executive orders. Garfield Jones, the executive vice president of Strategy and Research at QuSecure, said the launch of an executive order focused on post-quantum cryptography is an "unambiguous signal" for the universal need to migrate digital networks ahead of time.

"The 2030 deadline for key establishment is a tangible compliance deadline, and the gap between where most organizations are today and where they need to be is significant," Jones said in a statement. "Agencies and contractors that haven't started a cryptographic inventory are already behind. The organizations that move now will have options. The ones that wait will find themselves managing a crisis."

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, who was present at the White House during the signing ceremony, said IBM "applauds" the Trump administration for launching both orders. "Sound policy, sustained investment and public-private partnership are vital to sustaining U.S. quantum leadership and technological resilience," Krishna said in a statement. "Today's Executive Orders bring that same spirit of policy and investment working in lockstep to the national stage."

The Quantum Threat

The urgency behind these executive orders stems from the emerging threat that quantum computers pose to current encryption methods. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break many of the cryptographic algorithms that currently protect everything from financial transactions to national security communications.

While fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption don't yet exist, experts warn that the time to prepare is now. The concept of "harvest now, decrypt later" — where adversaries collect encrypted data today with the expectation of decrypting it once quantum computers become available — has heightened concerns about the need for immediate action.

NASA's Role

One notable aspect of the quantum innovation order is its directive to NASA. The order gives NASA 120 days to submit a plan for quantum space infrastructure, recognizing the potential applications of quantum technology in space exploration, satellite communications, and Earth observation.

The intersection of quantum technology and space represents a new frontier in both scientific research and national security. Quantum sensors could revolutionize navigation systems, while quantum communications could provide unhackable links between satellites and ground stations.

Looking Ahead

The 2030-2031 deadlines for post-quantum cryptography migration are ambitious but necessary, according to industry experts. Federal agencies will need to inventory their cryptographic systems, test new algorithms, and implement upgrades across vast and complex IT environments.

The success of these executive orders will depend on sustained funding, public-private partnerships, and international cooperation. As the quantum race intensifies globally, America's ability to lead in both quantum innovation and quantum security will be critical to maintaining its technological and economic竞争优势 in the decades to come.