The universities and research institutions in the United States focusing on quantum computing are \u201csub-par,\u201d a top National Security Agency official said June 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The complaint is among a laundry list of examples, topped by cybersecurity, where American innovation in the intelligence field is struggling, said George Barnes, deputy director at the NSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to be better at playing the long game,\u201d he said. Barnes added that the Chinese \u201ccan play the long game\u201d and \u201cthey are taking steps that might not be realized for 20 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The warnings, made at the Capitol Hill National Security Forum in Washington, highlighted mistrust between the government and private sector, as well as the structural challenges of supporting innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether it is quantum computing, space or artificial intelligence, Robert Cardillo, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency worried that \u201cthe moment will be too late\u201d for American innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts say that when quantum computers are fully operational, they will upend the use of password-protected systems, artificial intelligence and other areas of information technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhoever achieves quantum first, everything they are doing and have been doing is irrelevant,\u201d Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, said. He added the United States needs to treat quantum the way it treated the Y2K crisis, where the government \u201cspent billions of dollars and spent a decade preparing \u2026 We need to be the leader.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hurd said that he supports a recently proposed bill from Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, that aims to \u201caccelerate quantum research and development.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the intelligence officials at the forum said that the very nature of American government that prioritizes short-term gains may harm innovation. With their centralized five-year plans, China does not have the potential sequesters and fluctuating budgets that are features of the U.S. government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rob Joyce, the newly installed senior adviser at the NSA, said that government needs to give \u201cmore people the license to fail.\u201d He said that while the agency doesn\u2019t want to squander taxpayer money, \u201coversight regulation\u201d does not encourage innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joyce said that the agency needs to boost partnerships with the banking industry, power companies and other areas of critical infrastructure because government has moved to a \u201csupport\u201d role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are not the finishers now,\u201d Joyce said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked what the most important emerging threat was for the NSA, Barnes answered with one word: \u201cCybersecurity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe attack surface is broad and the solution requires government and the public sector together,\u201dBarnes added.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barnes said that that agency is not used to working with the private sector however, and it harms cybersecurity. \u201cTrust is an issue.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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