Story perspectives

White House Pushes for Swift Shift to Quantum Encryption

9/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

The White House is exploring executive orders to expedite federal agencies' shift to post-quantum encryption, advancing the deadline from 2035 to 2030.
Plans may include a national strategy similar to the AI Action Plan, with executive actions to foster quantum technology development.
Government interest in influencing the future of quantum technology is evident among industry leaders and former national security officials.
Transitioning cryptocurrencies to quantum-resistant encryption is under consideration, though its inclusion in executive orders is uncertain.
Official announcements on these initiatives are expected soon, but specific timelines are unclear.

History

Historical Context

In 2019, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated the standardization of post-quantum cryptography to protect data from quantum computing threats, involving over 80 organizations like Google and IBM. This effort reflects a growing urgency, as experts warn that current encryption methods could be compromised by quantum computers by 2030, impacting national security and digital currencies.

1 of 2

Story summary

The White House is exploring executive orders to expedite federal agencies' shift to post-quantum encryption, advancing the deadline from 2035 to 2030.
Plans may include a national strategy similar to the AI Action Plan, with executive actions to foster quantum technology development.
Government interest in influencing the future of quantum technology is evident among industry leaders and former national security officials.
Transitioning cryptocurrencies to quantum-resistant encryption is under consideration, though its inclusion in executive orders is uncertain.
Official announcements on these initiatives are expected soon, but specific timelines are unclear.

1 / 2