Mace’s bipartisan quantum computing bill slated to become law

The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 13 passed a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) that addresses the migration of executive agencies’ information technology (IT) systems to post-quantum cryptography, encryption strong enough to resist attacks from quantum computers developed in the future.

The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, H.R. 7535, which Rep. Mace introduced on April 18 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“Cybersecurity is national security,” Rep. Mace said. “After 11 federal agencies were hacked by agents of Russia and China in 2020, we must do all we can to strengthen and protect our nation’s systems and keep our data secure.”

Once signed into law by the president, H.R. 7535 will require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prioritize the acquisition and migration of federal agencies’ IT to post-quantum cryptography, and instruct OMB to create guidance for federal agencies to assess critical systems one year after the National Institute of Standards and Technology issues planned post-quantum cryptography standards, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Mace’s staff.

Additionally, H.R. 7535 will direct OMB to send an annual report to Congress that includes a strategy on how to address post-quantum cryptography risks, the necessary funding, and an analysis on whole-of-government coordination and migration to post-quantum cryptography standards and IT, the summary says.

“Congress will now receive an annual report on the federal government’s strategy for facing post-quantum cybersecurity threats,” said Rep. Mace.

Rep. Khanna pointed out that as quantum computing continues to progress, steps must be taken now to protect America’s national security and economy. “While I support federal funding for quantum computing and believe the technology can one day help us solve many of the world’s problems, we have to plan ahead for potential vulnerabilities it may create,” she said.

U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) led the same-named companion bill, S. 4592, in their chamber. 

“Quantum computing will provide for huge advances in computing power, but it will also create new cybersecurity challenges,” Sen. Portman said. “I’m pleased the House passed 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 and urge the president to sign it into law soon.”