Draft executive order sets 2030-2031 PQC deadlines for federal agencies, contractors

Editorial brief

A White House draft executive order would require federal agencies to migrate digital signatures for high-impact systems to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) by Dec. 31, 2031, and key establishment to PQC by Dec. 31, 2030, according to sections viewed by Nextgov/FCW. Covered contractors working with federal agencies face a 2030 deadline to comply with NIST-developed PQC standards. National security systems are excluded from the mandate. The order is expected to be released as soon as this week, a source told Nextgov/FCW.