Before quantum computers become reality, hackers and foreign governments may already be collecting encrypted data—hoping to unlock it later. That’s why federal agencies are being urged to act now, while current protections still hold.
In a press release issued on July 31, Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the National Quantum Cybersecurity Migration Strategy Act to counter so-called "harvest now, decrypt later" threats. The bill urges agencies to start adopting future-proof encryption while current protections still work.
Under the proposal, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy would craft a national migration strategy, guided by the Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Science (ESIX)—what Blackburn described as a federal "road map."
“The United States must be prepared for these cybersecurity challenges and remain the world leader in quantum technology,” said Blackburn.
Pilot Program Requirements
All federal agencies would be required to migrate at least one high-impact system to the next-generation encryption. ESIX will help identify the most vulnerable systems and set performance benchmarks.
"It's critical that the federal government be prepared for any threat posed by quantum computing technology, especially when it concerns our national security," Peters said.
The bill also defines what counts as a “cryptographically relevant quantum computer,” removing ambiguity that could slow adoption.
Although a 2022 law encouraged preparedness, much of the federal government’s data remains protected by outdated—or no—encryption. This new legislation creates binding requirements where previous efforts offered only guidance.
Unless a clear migration plan is in place, they say, this emerging tech could hand hackers and rival governments access to sensitive data.
