John Prisco, Security CEO & founder of Safe Quantum Inc., working with data-driven companies to develop and deploy quantum-safe technologies
The Trump administration is preparing to introduce a series of executive actions that could reshape America’s trajectory in quantum technology and cybersecurity. By accelerating deadlines for post-quantum cryptography (PQC), intensifying workforce development and formalizing international partnerships, these measures mark the most significant expansion of U.S. quantum strategy since the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act.
While the U.S. has often lagged behind China’s multibillion-dollar quantum investments, these actions could signal a significant pivot to spur government agencies, industry leaders and global allies to step up adoption, funding and collaboration. Placing quantum migration on par with other top national technology priorities signals that the secure backbone of U.S. digital networks is no longer a “future” concern but an immediate imperative.
At the core of the administration’s plan are up to three executive orders focused on quantum information science and rapid migration to PQC across federal digital infrastructure. These directives build on existing policies but advance federal deadlines for migration from 2035 to 2030, five years earlier than previously mandated.
The urgency stems from recent advances in cryptography and computing. In 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released standardized PQC algorithms, paving the way for federal adoption. While agencies have already been directed under policies like NSM-8, NSM-10, CNSA 2.0 and the Quantum Cybersecurity Preparedness Act to inventory cryptographic assets and develop migration plans, the new executive actions would intensify those requirements.
International Collaboration: The Technology Prosperity Deal
This “whole-of-government” approach echoes the July 2025 AI Action Plan. Agencies and contractors will be required to publish specific migration timelines, assess risks to critical systems like cryptocurrencies and adapt policies in real time. Such mandates are expected to ripple outward, influencing not only federal networks but also private-sector partners who interface with government systems.
The most visible element of U.S. quantum policy expansion is the newly signed Technology Prosperity Deal with the U.K. Valued at $42 billion, the pact commits both nations to deep cooperation in artificial intelligence, civil nuclear power and quantum computing.
The agreement includes partnerships with leading firms such as Microsoft, NVIDIA and OpenAI, while laying the foundation for joint research in quantum hardware, applications in defense and finance and the anticipated creation of tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs.
For the U.S., the deal underscores a recognition that quantum technology development must be a collective enterprise across allies, both to keep pace with global competitors and to accelerate breakthroughs in secure applications.
And, incorporating quantum key distribution (QKD) alongside PQC may further strengthen the American security landscape, offering businesses an additional safeguard against future quantum-enabled threats. By piloting QKD in critical sectors such as finance, healthcare and supply chain operations, organizations can position themselves at the forefront of secure data transmission, gaining both resilience and competitive advantage.
Building On—And Beyond—Previous Efforts
The new measures build on the foundation of the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act, which allocated $1.2 billion for quantum research through 2023 and established interagency coordination.
The administration is not only seeking congressional reauthorization but also elevating quantum alongside AI as a core pillar of U.S. technology strategy. This repositioning is strategic: It frames quantum not as an esoteric field, but as a practical enabler of future-proof digital security, advanced defense capabilities and next-generation financial systems.
Industry leaders and former officials expect that executive guidance will soon compel agencies to act more aggressively on PQC. Published resources such as the Post-Quantum Cryptography Coalition Migration Roadmap and NIST’s migration guidelines are already in circulation to help organizations inventory vulnerabilities, prioritize systems and execute transitions efficiently.
A Defining Moment For Quantum Strategy
Quantum computing has long been seen as a distant frontier. But with these pending actions, the stance is shifting from research to execution. The combination of earlier deadlines, whole-of-government mandates and international collaboration sends a clear message: Quantum technology is no longer an experimental domain, but a critical component of economic security and national defense.
The scale of U.S. funding still lags in comparison to China’s quantum investments, but pairing executive action with the Technology Prosperity Deal may narrow this gap. For businesses, the writing is on the wall: Migration to quantum-safe encryption will not remain optional. Whether in defense contracting, finance or technology services, organizations that fail to align with this accelerated schedule risk exclusion from federal contracts and exposure to quantum-enabled cyber threats.
To combat this and prepare, organizations should:
• Accelerate PQC readiness by conducting comprehensive cryptographic inventories and prioritizing migration of high-risk systems using NIST’s standardized algorithms.
• Establish cross-functional “quantum transition teams” that include IT, legal and compliance experts to streamline execution and ensure alignment with federal mandates.
• Partner with vendors already developing PQC-enabled solutions and piloting QKD in critical operations to further strengthen resilience.
• Invest in workforce training and international collaboration to leverage shared R&D and policy frameworks.
Integrating PQC migration into broader digital transformation and zero-trust strategies can help position enterprises to meet the 2030 deadline confidently and competitively.
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