WASHINGTON—The Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation convened a pivotal hearing titled “Preparing for the Quantum Age: When Cryptography Breaks.” The session underscored the necessity for the United States to assert its technological dominance and modernize its cybersecurity protocols amid escalating threats from adversarial nations like China.
During the hearing, members emphasized that the U.S. must innovate continually to maintain its lead in key technological domains such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
Marisol Cruz Cain, Director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, articulated the critical need for developing a robust quantum workforce to secure the nation’s leadership in quantum technology. She highlighted the importance of programs aimed at education and training, which are vital for equipping both public and private sectors with qualified individuals capable of navigating the evolving landscape of quantum technologies.
Cruz Cain noted that “the sustained investment is particularly important to advance these technologies.” She further emphasized the necessity of basic funding for research and early development activities to mitigate potential risks posed by quantum computing.
The implications of quantum computing extend beyond mere technological advancement; they have the potential to disrupt cybersecurity on a global scale as countries progress towards developing next-generation computing systems.
Cruz Cain remarked, “Quantum computers hold the promise of solving critical problems that conventional computers cannot.” These cutting-edge machines leverage the principles of quantum physics, enabling calculations at speeds unimaginable by today’s standards. While such capabilities could lead to revolutionary advancements in fields like chemistry for developing new medicines and fertilizers, they simultaneously pose grave risks to data security. The advent of quantum computers threatens to undermine widely used encryption methods that safeguard sensitive information.
Denis Mandich, Chief Technology Officer at Qrypt, voiced concerns regarding the rapid approach of quantum computing capabilities. He stated, “The timeline is shrinking,” and pointed to a threshold of approximately four thousand logical qubits that leading programs are already racing to achieve. Mandich cautioned against complacency, arguing that it’s not just risky to delay action—it’s irrational. He highlighted previous incidents, such as the infiltration of the federal agencies via FLAME malware and Microsoft’s signing key theft through Storm-0558, as evidence of the dangers posed by foreign adversaries exploiting vulnerabilities.
Subcommittee Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) stressed the importance of ensuring cybersecurity across federal technology infrastructure. “An important role of this Subcommittee is to ensure proper cybersecurity of federal technology,” she stated. She continued, emphasizing the urgent need for the federal government to confront the impending challenges posed by quantum computing, alluding to a concerning trend where foreign adversaries employ a “steal now, decrypt later” strategy.
Dr. Scott Crowder, Vice President of IBM Quantum Adoption, echoed this sentiment, urging both the U.S. government and industry to prepare for a “quantum safe” future. He asserted that without timely action, critical cybersecurity frameworks could become obsolete. Crowder cited recommendations from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which has advised that current encryption vulnerable to quantum computing should be phased out by 2035. Historical examples suggest that widespread adoption of new cryptographic technologies can take over a decade, further stressing the need for urgency.
In the hearing, members focused on the competitive landscape between the U.S. and China regarding quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Chairwoman Mace inquired about the extent of China’s advancements in AI and their implications for U.S. national security.
Mandich responded with caution, emphasizing that China has access to a wealth of data and technology strategies developed in the U.S. He pointed out that many Chinese nationals operating in the U.S. may be affiliated with or influenced by Chinese intelligence organizations, raising significant security concerns. He predicted a potential rupture in the status quo akin to a “DeepSeek moment” in quantum computing, similar to how new technologies can emerge rapidly and unexpectedly.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) raised his apprehensions about the influx of Chinese international students in American universities. He questioned whether this presents a risk of technological espionage, stating that many students could be redirected to critical fields like quantum computing and nuclear engineering, subsequently putting the U.S. at a disadvantage.
Mandich confirmed the suspicion, noting that China employs such strategies as a means of intelligence collection. “We’ve effectively trained their entire quantum industry here in the United States,” he said, suggesting that more stringent regulations could be needed to counteract this risk while also advocating for increased American participation in technology fields.
Rep. John McGuire (R-Va.) sought insights from Dr. Crowder about which areas of U.S. quantum innovation might be most vulnerable to foreign competitors.
Dr. Crowder characterized the risk landscape into several categories, indicating that while public data suggests the U.S. maintains a lead in developing superior quantum computers, there are other areas, such as algorithms and application research, where the U.S. is lagging behind in investment. He noted that many other governments are accelerating their investments in these domains, contrasting with U.S. strategies that often wait for technological milestones to be met before advancing research.
Overall, the subcommittee hearing highlighted a consensus among participants: the U.S. must act decisively and swiftly to confront the challenges posed by quantum computing, not only to safeguard national security but also to reinforce its leadership in global technology innovation.
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