Quantum Information Science and Technology Overview

This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for U.S. federal agencies on Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST), with a focus on post-quantum cryptography (PQC). It outlines the significance of QIST in enhancing secure communication networks and discusses the urgent need for agencies to prepare for the transition to PQC standards, which are expected to be issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2024. The document emphasizes the importance of inventorying vulnerable systems and developing implementation plans to protect against potential threats from quantum computing. It also presents a SWOT analysis, detailing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with QIST implementation. The guide highlights the potential of Quantum Security as a Service (QSaaS) to assist agencies in adopting PQC solutions. Additionally, it addresses the challenges of increased storage requirements, network latency, compatibility concerns, and the need for technical expertise in implementing advanced PQC standards.