Quantum Information Science and Technology
Foreign actors are increasingly targeting and collecting against a wide range of U.S. quantum companies, universities, and government labs
Quantum information science and technology (QIS) is the use of the laws of quantum physics for the storage, transmission, manipulation, computing, or measurement of information.
It is an emerging field with the potential to revolutionize the fields of science and engineering involving computation, communication, precision measurement, and fundamental quantum science. It exploits unique quantum properties such as coherence, superposition, entanglement, and squeezing to acquire, transmit, and process information.
Globally, private investors and governments, including adversarial nations, are investing heavily in quantum technology research and development. QIS might give rise to the quantum computer, which scientists theorize could advance research in communication networks, drugs, materials, medical imaging, micro-electronics and semiconductors.
The full range of potential applications of quantum computers and technology is unknown.
Possible Quantum Use Cases
- Decryption of sensitive information
- Modeling and optimization: chemistry, finance, and logistics
- Sensing: Medical imaging, detection of submarines and minerals
- Precision timing: GPS, computer servers
- Communications: secure encryption
Why Quantum Information Science?
QIS could enable new capabilities in computing, sensing, and communications. These advancements have promising applications—from military to medicine to economics—making them an attractive target for adversaries.
Many QIS technologies are in early stages of research, with multiple pathways toward development. While increasing U.S.-based scientific collaboration with foreign QIS researchers and accessing a widespread, international supply chain are vital to U.S. QIS research success, they also present persistent security risks. Adversary countries seek to exploit QIS researchers and technology suppliers in their efforts to achieve global military and economic dominance. Advanced and basic QIS and related research acquired illicitly may speed up adversary QIS progress ahead of the United States and U.S.-friendly nations.
Frequently Targeted Quantum Research Components
- Cryogenics: quantum bit (qubit) cooling
- High frequency electronics: qubit operation interfaces
- Signal generators: qubit control
- Lithography: precise qubit design
- Lasers: qubit cooling and control
- Optical frequency combs: precision timing
- Chipsets: quantum computer processor
- Algorithms: Programming for qubits to function
- Workforce talent: innovation
The Quantum Information Science Counterintelligence Protection Team is an inter-agency unit tasked with protecting the QIS developed by the United States and like-minded nations. It was established by the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018 and is part of the National Counterintelligence Task Force.
The United States’ economic and national security are inextricably linked. Our academic institutions, research enterprises, and private sector drive the U.S. economy. They are also targets. Stolen innovation is not just the theft of one idea. It also means potentially lost jobs, stolen opportunities for American workers, decreased national power, and reduced leadership in the industries hostile nations seek to dominate in the decades to come.
The threat from foreign intelligence adversaries have become increasingly complex as they employ an all-tools approach that include nontraditional collectors, economic and academic influence, and other asymmetric intelligence operations. No single U.S. counterintelligence agency can fully understand or mitigate these operations on their own. The National Counterintelligence Task Force, which is comprised of over 50 government agencies, was born out of this idea. A component of its mission is protecting the quantum research and development landscape. This covers all efforts across and within government, academia, and the private sector.
Through the Quantum Information Science Counterintelligence Protection Team, the FBI, our enforcement partners, and other like-minded nations that share our values respecting the rule of law, fair trade, and scientific collaborative reciprocity are working with industry, academic, and government labs to ensure a secure research environment.
Potential Threats
QIS can potentially advance capabilities in cryptography, modeling and simulation, logistics, and other applications.
However, QIS also opens the door to harmful consequences and can be dangerous in the hands of foreign adversaries.
- Digital security is at risk; a quantum computing algorithm theoretically could break encryption in minutes.
- Quantum science unlocks advances in military applications including battle planning, weaponry, and command, control, and communications.
Threat Indicators and Warning Signs
- Foreign companies or university QIS programs in friendly countries with ties to adversary countries
- Customers with overly complicated shipping instructions or middlemen
- People encouraging research collaboration with unusual requests (for example, discouraging supervisor permission)
- Unusually large or illogical orders of complete or partial QIS-related hardware/products
- Invitations from unknown or unvetted entities to travel abroad to teach or collaborate on critical research
- Emails from unknown or suspicious senders, including phishing, malware, social engineering, and academic solicitations
- Unusual network traffic
- Contact your local field office to help mitigate threats to your quantum research and technology.
- Contact the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov
- Call 1-800-CALL FBI (1-800-225-5324)
Please help prevent your U.S. and foreign students, faculty, employees and colleagues from becoming the next victims.
The FBI and our U.S. government partners are committed to supporting and protecting the QIS research and development community in ways that promote public trust, protect civil liberties, and respect the privacy and dignity of every person.
- As soon as an incident is uncovered, it is essential to involve the FBI to investigate, mitigate, and remediate.
- Help the FBI understand your QIS-related information and equipment to protect.
- Ensure employees know how to report suspicious activities.
- Ensure security personnel continuously monitor networks and physical access.
- Consider research and business partners sign nondisclosure agreements.
- Beware of funding and collaboration offers an adversary could use to gain your knowledge and expertise.
- Identify foreign control of first-, second-, and third-party business partners and supply chains.
- Require researchers to disclose foreign research and funding associations.
- Beware of extensive information inquiries, complex shipping arrangements, or products from foreign entities.
During an investigation, we will work closely with you to protect your equities, including your name, reputation, and assets, from unnecessary public exposure.
- Your cooperation not only protects your program and research, but it also protects our national security. In some situations, victims may receive financial restitution from the courts while the government takes action to bar an offending individual or company from profiting from the criminal activity.
- Individuals and companies can be criminally prosecuted for violation of sanctions or export control restrictions, both in the United States or abroad.
