A bill introduced into the US Senate will seek to strengthen security against threats of quantum-computing.
According to Security Week, the bill was co-sponsored by Rob Portman (R-OH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). It was introduced to the US House in April and was passed in July.
The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act addresses federal agencies’ preparedness for quantum computing and requires them to adopt proper defences against quantum-computing enabled data breaches.
The publication added that the bill underlines the need to migrate federal agencies’ information technology systems to post-quantum cryptography and mandates that the Office of Management and Budget will supervise the migration process.
The bill detailed, “The rapid progress of quantum computing suggests the potential for adversaries of the United States to steal sensitive encrypted data today using classical computers, and wait until sufficiently powerful quantum systems are available to decrypt it.”
The OMB will also guide federal agencies for one year after the National Institute of Standards and Technology issues post-quantum cryptography standards and will keep US Congress informed on the status of federal agencies’ migration to post-quantum cryptography standards and on post-quantum cryptography risks, defences and necessary funding.
Portman remarked, “Quantum computing will provide for huge advances in computing power, but it will also create new cybersecurity challenges. This bipartisan legislation will require the government to inventory its cryptographic systems, determine which are most at risk from quantum computing, and upgrade those systems accordingly. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation.”
Earlier this year, leaders of the US Senate Committee called for an investigation into whether Chinese officials are getting access to US user data from TikTok.
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