The Senate has passed a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing data breaches made possible by quantum computers that can decrypt protected information.
The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act was introduced by Senators Maggie Hassan (DN.H.) and Senators Rob Portman (Ohio Republican) and passed to the House by Rep. Ro Khanna (Democrat-California). ) and related bills introduced by Nancy Mace. , RS.C., Hassan’s office said on Friday.
Portman, a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, said the law would require government agencies to create an inventory of cryptosystems and to move the most compromised systems to post-quantum cryptography. I said it should be a priority.
“Data breaches exploited by quantum computing are a major national security concern. America’s adversaries seek vulnerabilities in cybersecurity systems to threaten infrastructure, data and security.” says Hassan.
The law directs the Office of Management and Budget to prioritize the acquisition of government information technology systems and the transition to post-quantum cryptography.
It also mandates OMB to develop guidance for evaluating critical systems based on standards for implementing quantum-safe algorithms published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
In addition, the agency will send an annual report to Congress outlining progress and recommendations regarding efforts to transition to post-quantum cryptography standards.
