President Donald Trump announced a pair of executive orders investing in quantum computing, moving forward an unprecedented partnership between government and industry while simultaneously moving to secure the U.S. from cryptographic threats.

Investing in Quantum Computing

The first executive order, titled ‘Ushering In The Next Frontier Of Quantum Innovation,’ outlined a strategy to update the National Quantum Strategy by ‘promoting commercialization and deployment of’ quantum technologies and partnering with industry leaders.

Trump signed the order in the Oval Office alongside executives from technology companies with vested quantum interests, including IBM and Google parent company Alphabet.

The directive mandates administration officials from the Departments of Energy and War, the director of national intelligence (DNI) and the director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ‘a summary of steps taken to align their processes, policies, and programs with’ the National Quantum Strategy.

Securing the Nation

The second executive order Trump signed, ‘Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks,’ directed OMB and the national cyber director to ‘lead an accelerated, nationwide migration to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), ensuring our Nation and our data stay secure as quantum technology evolves.’

Quantum computers can perform exponentially greater amounts of calculations at one time when compared to even the most advanced modern supercomputers today. This application makes them a potential threat to cryptographically secure information involving global finances, state secrets and digital communications.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.