White House Pressing Agencies on Post-Quantum Cryptography Testing

A White House official said Tuesday it’s critical that Federal agencies start testing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms on their IT systems today to ensure critical networks aren’t accidentally shut down when the time comes to transition systems to post-quantum cryptography.

Nick Polk, a senior advisor to Federal Chief Information Security Officer Chris DeRusha, said during the GDIT Emerge: Quantum event in Arlington, Va., on Dec. 5 that the White House is strongly encouraging agencies to begin testing the cryptography in production environments.