Quandela, a photonic quantum hardware developer, has been chosen by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to take part in Stage A of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI)1. This initiative aims to assess the capabilities of various quantum computing architectures and determine whether they can achieve large-scale operation. The QBI program seeks to differentiate between genuine technical advancements and exaggerated claims in the quantum computing field. By participating in this program, Quandela will be subject to rigorous evaluation to determine the viability of its photonic quantum hardware. The QBI is part of a broader federal effort to accelerate the development of practical quantum computing technologies. As quantum developments progress, the need for cryptographic migration to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) becomes more pressing, making the outcomes of this initiative crucial for informing PQC planning and migration strategies, so the results of this initiative will significantly impact the timeline for cryptographic migration and PQC planning.