On June 22, 2026, President Trump signed two Executive Orders on quantum technology, representing the most significant federal action on quantum technology in years. Together they present a two-prong federal strategy: (i) accelerate the development of quantum computing in both government and the private sector; and (ii) hardening U.S. systems against the security threats the technology presents. What is quantum computing? A quantum computer is different than a classical computer. Whereas classical computers store and process data as binary “bits” (each one representing either a one or a zero), quantum computers use “qubits” that can represent both a 0 and 1 simultaneously (known as superposition). This allows quantum computers to make calculations that would be difficult or impossible on a classical computer. This also means that when sufficiently powerful quantum computers arrive, they will be capable of breaking the encryption standards that currently protect virtually every sensitive digital transaction, communication, and data storage that businesses rely on. To learn more about where quantum technology is heading, follow our Beyond The Binary Series. What do the two EO’s do? The first EO establishes a national framework for the development of the first-ever quantum computer. It directs the Secretaries of Commerce, Energy, and Defense to develop plans to deploy quantum-enabled sensors and networks within five years, updates the National Quantum Strategy, calls for expanding domestic supply chains and manufacturing for quantum computers, and calls for building a quantum workforce through to be created National Quantum Workforce Development Institutes. The EO also directs federal agencies to identify deregulatory opportunities to remove market hurdles for commercial quantum deployment. The second EO focuses on the urgent need for the government and industry to migrate to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). PQC refers to a new generation of encryption algorithms designed to withstand attacks from both classical and