Question

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of cryptography that holds that the algorithm can be publically disclosed without damaging security?

A Babbage's principle
B Kerkchoff's principle
C Vigenere's principle
D Shamir's principle

Answer 1

Kerckhoffs's principle is the fundamental cryptography concept that an algorithm can be publically disclosed without compromising security; it emphasizes that the security should rely on the key, not the algorithm's secrecy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fundamental principle of cryptography that holds that the algorithm can be publicly disclosed without damaging security is Kerckhoffs's principle. This principle, articulated by the Dutch cryptographer Auguste Kerckhoffs in the 19th century, states that a cryptosystem should be secure even if everything about the system, except the key, is public knowledge. It underlines the importance of the secrecy of the key over the obscurity of the algorithm.

In practice, Kerckhoffs's principle has become a guiding concept in the design of modern cryptographic systems. It implies that the strength of a cryptosystem should not rely on keeping its algorithm secret but rather on the security of the keys used. This approach encourages the development and use of encryption algorithms that have been vetted by experts and are resistant to cryptanalysis.