DoW unveils quantum defense strategy to harden networks and strengthen the joint force

The Department of War’s Chief Information Officer, Honorable Kirsten Davies, announced a Post-Quantum Cryptography Strategy that sets a rapid timetable to protect communications, data, and command-and-control systems from future quantum-enabled threats. The plan targets deployment of quantum-resistant cryptography on high-impact systems by 2030 and across the force by 2031, aligning the department with Executive Order 14409, “Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks,” signed by President Donald J. Trump.

“Empowering the warfighter is the relentless objective that drives every program,” said Hon. Davies. “To deliver on Secretary Hegseth’s vision of the most lethal and dominant military force in the world, our networks must be impenetrable. This strategy secures our tactical edge and the safety of our satellite communications and command systems (SATCOM). It builds the interoperability required to rapidly upgrade our cryptography today while ensuring we can adapt at the speed of innovation to counter the threats of tomorrow.”

The strategy emphasizes tighter collaboration with industry to prepare the Defense Industrial Base for forthcoming Federal Acquisition Regulation cryptographic requirements. It outlines new pathways to accelerate integration of commercial, PQC-enabled products and to reduce national costs by streamlining testing. Centralized governance is a core feature, intended to concentrate buying power, cut waste, and sustain pace.

“As we execute this critical modernization, we remain uncompromisingly focused on delivering value for the American people,” added Davies. “We are answering the President’s call by establishing centralized governance—ensuring we leverage our buying power, eliminate waste, and secure the best possible value for every taxpayer dollar while moving at speed of innovation.”

To guide execution, the plan organizes work into five interconnected lines of effort:
– Governance and integration: Create a centralized oversight framework to coordinate acquisition and ensure fiscal accountability.
– Inventory and planning: Conduct an aggressive scan of vulnerable systems and orchestrate migration roadmaps.
– Technology acceleration: Develop, test, and mature PQC solutions for defense-unique needs while working with standards bodies and industry to advance baseline capabilities.
– Industry partnership and enablement: Lower adoption barriers through initiatives such as the “Preparing for Migration to PQC” memo, enabling rapid intake of PQC-enabled solutions.
– Migration and fielding: Deploy quantum-resistant protections across missions without slowing operations.

The department says the approach is designed to move faster than the timelines in Executive Order 14409 and to establish a new cybersecurity paradigm intended to preserve U.S. technological and strategic advantages for decades.

The DoW Post-Quantum Cryptography Strategy is available at: https://dowcio.war.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Library/DoW-PQC-Strategy.pdf