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Federal Agencies Ordered to Speed Transition to Post-Quantum Encryption
An Office of Management and Budget memorandum issued June 24 directs federal agencies to accelerate adoption of stronger encryption. The directive follows a June 22 executive order that sets deadlines for agencies to inventory current encryption and move to post-quantum cryptography.
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The memo follows a June 22 executive order that warns quantum computers could worsen existing cybersecurity risks to U.S. government data.
The order requires agencies to meet specific deadlines for integrating post-quantum cryptography into their systems. It also directs agencies to identify where current encryption is used so migration priorities can be set. A cryptographic bill of materials is described as a structured inventory that will help agencies track encryption assets and plan updates.
The order tasks the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology with developing standards for what a useful cryptographic bill of materials must include. The order notes that adversaries may already be storing encrypted data for later decryption once quantum computers become capable.
It also references Google's decision to move its internal post-quantum migration deadline to the end of 2029. The order states that clear standards for cryptographic inventories will help agencies meet the new deadlines.
