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On Tuesday, the White House issued two new directives aimed at incorporating quantum computing technology into U.S. cybersecurity infrastructure and policy. The directives establish a government oversight board that will advance quantum science and technological development, emphasizing quantum computing technologies in relation to cryptography. The White House also is establishing an independent advisory body for quantum information science and technology, which will share knowledge about the latest quantum computing developments with lawmakers and the general public, while also guiding policymaking.

The second directive focuses on national security issues, providing a playbook to help agencies ensure their systems are quantum-resistant. Officials want networks to adopt post-quantum cryptography standards, which would block functioning quantum computers from using advanced algorithms to break through standard encryption.

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