SIGNED INTO LAW: Senators Hassan and Portman’s Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen National Security by Preparing for Quantum Cybersecurity Risks

WASHINGTON – The President has signed into law Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Senator Rob Portman’s (R-OH) bipartisan Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act. The law will strengthen national security by preparing the federal government’s defenses against quantum-computing-enabled data breaches. As quantum computers, including those being developed by our adversaries, continue to get more powerful and more widely available, federal agencies must proactively work to ensure that federal cybersecurity protections remain up to date.

“To strengthen our national security, it is essential that we address potential vulnerabilities in our cybersecurity systems, including new threats presented by quantum computing,” said Senator Hassan. “This law will help ensure that our federal government is ready to defend our country against data breaches that could be exploited by quantum computing. I was glad to work with members of both parties to get this law across the finish line, and I will continue working to strengthen our county’s cyber defenses.”

“Quantum computing will provide for huge advances in computing power, but it will also create new cybersecurity challenges,” said Ranking Member Portman. “I’m proud our bipartisan legislation to require the government to inventory its cryptographic systems, determine which are most at risk from quantum computing, and upgrade those systems accordingly is now law of the land.”

The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act would:

• Require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prioritize the acquisition and migration of federal agencies’ information technology to post-quantum cryptography;

• Instruct OMB to create guidance for federal agencies to assess critical systems one year after the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issues planned post-quantum cryptography standards;

• Direct OMB to send an annual report to Congress that includes a strategy on how to address post-quantum cryptography risks, the funding that might be necessary, and an analysis on whole-of-government coordination and migration to post-quantum cryptography standards and information technology.

Senator Hassan is leading efforts in Congress to invest in quantum research, which is critical to national security and the economy. Senators Hassan and John Thune’s (R-SD) measure to encourage quantum research efforts was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. Senators Hassan and Thune also previously introduced a bipartisan bill to strengthen national security by advancing U.S. capabilities in quantum networking and establishing a more comprehensive approach to workforce development in this field. In addition, Senator Hassan previously joined the New Hampshire congressional delegation in announcing $2.76 million in federal funding for Dartmouth College to support its quantum genome mapping project.

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