# Federal Agencies Advance Quantum Readiness

A FedScoop article encourages federal agencies to pursue quantum technology for mission applications while preparing for quantum-enabled cybersecurity risks. It identifies near-term steps including risk-based discovery of sensitive certificates, crypto agility, hands-on mission pilots, and workforce development. The signal identifies no solicitation, contract award, funding amount, or procurement deadline, so it points to a capability-planning trend rather than a specific near-term buying opportunity.

- Procurement teams can use the identified priorities to inform market research and assess whether future requirements should address cryptographic agility, quantum mission pilots, and workforce skills.
- Accenture Federal Services operates The Forge for hands-on quantum technology demonstrations; this may provide an avenue for agencies to explore mission-relevant use cases, though no procurement opportunity is specified.
- Contractors offering quantum or cybersecurity capabilities can align offerings with certificate discovery, crypto agility, mission-focused pilots, and workforce development, while distinguishing exploratory activities from funded or mandated requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity
**Published:** October 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. federal agencies

### Vendors
- Accenture Federal Services (Operates The Forge facility for hands-on quantum technology demonstrations)
- Accenture (Article and video interview underwriter)

### Key Quotes
> A quantum computer works differently, so you need to understand what kind of workloads within your mission to give to a quantum computer.
> — Tom Patterson, Global Managing Director for Emerging Technology Security at Accenture

### Sources
- [Quantum is here: What federal agencies need to do now | FedScoop](https://fedscoop.com/video/quantum-is-here-what-federal-agencies-need-to-do-now) - FedScoop