The FBI is working to protect U.S. quantum technology companies, universities, and government labs from foreign adversaries. Quantum information science, which could lead to revolutionary advances in science and engineering, is increasingly being targeted by adversarial nations seeking to steal U.S. technologies and research.
The National Counterintelligence Task Force’s Quantum Information Science Counterintelligence Protection Team (QISCPT) is working to protect these advancements. FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate emphasized the potential of quantum information science and technology for positive humanitarian impact, but also its significant implications for economic and national security. The FBI is increasing outreach to bolster cybersecurity defenses and coordinate counterintelligence investigations related to quantum technology.
Quantum Information Science: A New Frontier and Its Vulnerabilities
Quantum information science, an emerging field that explores the peculiar properties and behaviors of the smallest particles that make up everything around us, holds the potential to revolutionize science, engineering, and the U.S. economy. This field could give rise to quantum computers, capable of performing mathematical computations impossible for traditional computers, and could advance research in communication networks, new drugs, new materials, more defined medical imaging, microelectronics, and semiconductors. However, with these transformational innovations comes the risk of economic espionage and illicit technology transfer, particularly from adversarial nations.
The Threat of Economic Espionage in Quantum Science
As the race to develop quantum technologies intensifies, the risk of hostile nation-states stealing research and trade secrets becomes a significant concern. Some nations, such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC), are known to fast-track the acquisition of these advanced tools through illegal or otherwise illicit technology transfer. This involves illegally taking technology from companies or academic institutions and transferring it to the adversary government for its own use. The PRC’s Five-Year Plan identifies major technologies China wants to develop within that period, including semiconductors, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, new energy, biotechnology, aerospace, robotics, and the devices and software that contribute to the manufacturing process of any of these technologies.
The Role of the FBI and NCITF in Protecting Quantum Science
The FBI, in collaboration with the National Counterintelligence Task Force’s (NCITF) Quantum Information Science Counterintelligence Protection Team (QISCPT), works to protect quantum information science and technology developed in the U.S. and like-minded nations. The QISCPT leverages partnerships across government, academia, and private industry to protect progress in this field and thwart nation-state and other adversaries’ efforts to steal innovations. The team works within the interagency framework of the NCITF to ensure that the U.S. and like-minded nations do not lose momentum in the successful development of quantum technology.
Safeguarding Scientific Research and Technology
The FBI and NCITF have developed security partnerships with technology developers, investors, and end-users to thwart adversaries’ efforts to steal quantum innovations. To aid in keeping the quantum field safe, they are increasing outreach to government research agencies, private sector companies, and academic institutions to help bolster the industry’s cybersecurity defenses and to coordinate any counterintelligence investigations associated with quantum technology. The NCITF, which comprises over 45 government agencies, was born out of the idea that no single U.S. counterintelligence agency can fully understand or mitigate these operations on its own. A component of its mission is to protect the quantum research and development landscape, covering all efforts across and within government, academia, and the private sector.
The Quantum Information Science Counterintelligence Protection Team (QISCPT)
Within NCITF, the QISCPT is an interagency unit tasked with protecting the quantum information science technology developed by the U.S. and like-minded nations. This team was created as a result of the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018, which established a coordinated federal program to provide and support accelerated quantum research for the economic and national security of the U.S. The QISCPT puts the FBI and our intelligence and security agency partners within arm’s reach of representatives from all government agencies—not just the law enforcement and intelligence communities—and in contact with key players in the quantum information science and technology ecosystem. This access allows us strategic agility and deep insight into the strengths and vulnerabilities of the field, allowing us to form a nuanced threat picture and positions us to help protect vital U.S. innovation and security.
External Link: Click Here For More