U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) is taking steps to strengthen cryptographic protections for the nation’s sensitive data, critical infrastructure, and digital economy by sponsoring a bill that would expand upon a related presidential order.
Specifically, on June 29 he sponsored the currently untitled H.R. 9516 to codify Trump’s Executive Order 14412, entitled “Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks,” to ensure the federal government continues the transition to post-quantum cryptography with strong protections for critical government systems, military networks, and national infrastructure, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.
“President Trump is right to get ahead of this challenge now instead of waiting until it’s a crisis,” Rep. Harrigan said. “This executive order puts the federal government on a path to secure some of our most important systems against the next generation of cyber threats.
“My legislation builds on that work by putting those priorities into law and ensuring future administrations continue preparing for a world where quantum computing fundamentally changes the cybersecurity landscape,” he added.
President Trump’s executive order established a government-wide strategy to identify vulnerable systems, transition high-value federal assets to quantum-resistant encryption standards, and support critical infrastructure operators as they prepare for the next generation of cybersecurity threats, the summary says.
If enacted, H.R. 9516 would place the priorities into law by requiring agencies to inventory vulnerable systems, establish post-quantum migration plans, designate responsible officials, and meet implementation deadlines for securing high-value federal assets and high-impact systems.
Additionally, the measure would bolster coordination between federal agencies and critical infrastructure operators to ensure the United States remains prepared for evolving cyber threats and maintains its technological leadership, states the summary.
The bill has been referred to several committees for consideration.