Trump signs orders to accelerate quantum tech and security

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Monday, June 22, 2026, aimed at accelerating U.S. development of quantum technologies and strengthening national cybersecurity against future threats posed by advanced quantum computers.

The first order, titled "Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation," sets a goal of deploying a quantum computer capable of performing scientific research by 2028. This system, to be developed through a partnership between federal agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions, is intended for delivery to a Department of Energy facility. The order also directs multiple agencies, including NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Commerce, to develop five-year plans for deploying quantum-enabled sensors and networking technologies for applications in navigation, sensing, and communications.

The second executive order focuses on the cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computers, which could eventually break current encryption standards. It accelerates the federal government's transition to post-quantum cryptography, setting a new deadline of December 2031 for protecting high-value assets, replacing a previous...