{"id":131102,"date":"2026-08-28T15:29:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T19:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scoopmedia-develop.go-vip.net\/defensescoop\/?p=131102"},"modified":"2026-08-28T16:20:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T20:20:43","slug":"dod-software-defined-encryption-quantum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scoopmedia-develop.go-vip.net\/defensescoop\/2026\/08\/28\/dod-software-defined-encryption-quantum\/","title":{"rendered":"DOD probes industry about software-defined encryption as U.S. scurries to get quantum-safe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pentagon is searching for interim software-only cryptographic solutions that require zero hardware changes to protect military systems during its transition to post-quantum cryptography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/sam.gov\/workspace\/contract\/opp\/a36789b44e9941569c04d46314f15b15\/view\">request for information<\/a> released on Thursday sets clear, operational baselines for vendors and signals that the Defense Department is executing on its nascent <a href=\"https:\/\/scoopmedia-develop.go-vip.net\/defensescoop\/2026\/06\/25\/pentagon-pqc-strategy-post-quantum-cryptography\/\">campaign to prepare for existential quantum threats<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe desired solution should provide utility-based, data packet-level cryptographic protection that aligns with the government\u2019s PQC migration strategy and implementation plan, scheduled for on or before December 31, 2029,\u201d officials wrote in the RFI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quantum information science applies complex phenomena happening at atomic and subatomic levels to store, move, manipulate, process, and measure data and information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once they can be exploited at-scale, potentially in the near future, quantum technologies are <a href=\"https:\/\/scoopmedia-develop.go-vip.net\/fedscoop\/pentagon-confronting-many-unknowns-in-driving-quantum-breakthroughs\/\">expected to spark<\/a> disruptive advancements, like encryption-breaking algorithms and unhackable communication networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DOD\u2019s PQC strategy \u2014 published by the chief information officer in June, the day after the White House <a href=\"https:\/\/scoopmedia-develop.go-vip.net\/cyberscoop\/trump-executive-order-post-quantum-encryption-deadline\/\">issued new quantum policies<\/a> \u2014 outlines the department\u2019s modern scheme to prepare \u201cfor a future battle space enabled by Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pentagon\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/dowcio.war.gov\/Portals\/0\/Documents\/Library\/DoW-PQC-Strategy.pdf\">25-page plan<\/a> instructs personnel to ensure all systems support PQC by Dec. 31, 2030, and that every DOD system uses PQC, unless otherwise specified, no later than Dec. 31, 2031.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the new RFI, defense officials stated that \u201cas outlined in recent guidance,\u201d DOD must review all of its programs of record to determine the feasibility of incorporating advanced cryptographic protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA key constraint of this initiative is that the solution must be software-only and must not require the replacement, modification, or augmentation of existing hardware components such as chips, cryptographic cards, radios, hardware security modules or other physical components,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The market research document notably outlines how the Pentagon is approaching strict PQC technical parameters and specific post-quantum standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTechnology must be capable of advancing data protection capabilities while ensuring the Department retains full control and sovereignty over its data and cryptographic keys,\u201d officials wrote in the RFI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Industry responses are due by Sept. 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interested vendors are asked to submit information about PQC products and processes that can strengthen the DOD\u2019s \u201cability to support Presidential and Congressional priorities, and warfighter spectrum requirements.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The department is also looking into data protection measures that are designed to advance its migration to post-quantum cryptography.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":552,"featured_media":129315,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_grayscale_images":true,"grayscale_contrast":0,"sponsored_content":false,"display_author_bio":true,"story_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9340],"tags":[35,62,100,362,592,11564],"people":[],"special-report":[],"authors":[357],"class_list":["post-131102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tech","tag-software","tag-cryptography","tag-cio","tag-post-quantum-cryptography","tag-quantum","tag-pqc","author-bvincent"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>DOD probes industry about software-defined encryption as U.S. scurries to get quantum-safe | DefenseScoop<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The 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