FBI targets nation-state theft of quantum tech
The FBI warns that foreign adversaries, particularly China, are targeting U.S. quantum companies, universities, and labs to steal quantum research and technology.
Sourcefbi.gov — open the original
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The FBI has publicized its Quantum Information Science Counterintelligence Protection Team (QISCPT), a unit within the National Counterintelligence Task Force (NCITF) established under the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018. The initiative responds to what the Bureau describes as a systematic effort by adversarial nation-states—naming the People's Republic of China specifically—to acquire U.S. quantum computing, sensing, and communication research through illicit technology transfer, economic espionage, and exploitation of academic and industry collaboration.
The article is primarily a policy and outreach piece rather than a technical threat report: it describes the QISCPT's coordination with the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), a 200+ member body of companies, universities, and government labs, and its role advising the National Science and Technology Council on quantum security policy. It also notes that China and Russia agreed in March 2023 to deepen scientific and military-relevant technology cooperation, including nuclear research.
No specific intrusions, malware, or technical indicators are disclosed. The FBI instead provides guidance for the quantum research community on detecting suspicious funding offers, unusual export/shipping requests, phishing-style emails, and anomalous network traffic, and encourages reporting through FBI field offices or tips.fbi.gov. Given the absence of any active campaign details or confirmed compromises, this is best characterized as an awareness and counterintelligence advisory rather than an incident report.
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Source reporting: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/protecting-quantum-science-and-technology
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