President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Monday aimed at accelerating U.S. quantum technology development and protecting government systems against future cyber threats posed by quantum computers.

One order directs federal agencies to update U.S. quantum policy to keep pace with recent technological advances and growing global competition. It also shifts the focus toward practical applications of quantum technologies, including computing, sensing and networking.

A second order aims to accelerate the government's transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), a new generation of encryption designed to protect data from the powerful quantum computers expected in the future.

The order directs the Department of Commerce, the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to provide federal agencies with practical guidance on how to accelerate the adoption of quantum-resistant encryption.

It also requires agencies to designate officials to oversee the transition and upgrade critical systems to post-quantum cryptography by 2030 or 2031, depending on the type of system.

The Department of Commerce is also tasked with launching a pilot program by the end of 2027 to help federal agencies prepare for the transition to quantum-resistant encryption.

"By accelerating the U.S. government's PQC migration timeline, this order ensures that American cybersecurity keeps pace with emerging technology and recognizes the reality of the accelerating quantum industry," the White House said in a statement.

While large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking today's encryption standards do not yet exist, security officials have increasingly warned about a "harvest now, decrypt later" threat. Adversaries could collect encrypted communications today and store them until future quantum systems become powerful enough to unlock the data.

That concern has prompted governments and technology companies to begin replacing vulnerable cryptographic standards years before practical quantum computers arrive. Researchers have already developed several post-quantum algorithms intended to resist such attacks, and governments around the world have begun planning long-term migration efforts.

The U.S. administration's move was welcomed by industry groups.

"The post-quantum cryptography executive order sets appropriately aggressive timelines for federal agencies to prepare for quantum-enabled cybersecurity risks," said John Miller, executive vice president of policy at the Information Technology Industry Council, a trade association representing major technology companies.

The new U.S. strategy for quantum-era cybersecurity follows similar efforts by allies. Last year, U.K. cybersecurity authorities published guidance to help organizations transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic systems. The U.K. roadmap outlines a phased migration process extending from 2028 to 2035, with sectors such as banking, finance and telecommunications expected to lead adoption.