Final answer:
In symmetric encryption, the symmetric key should be a secret passphrase known only to the communicating parties and is essential for the security of the data.
Step-by-step explanation:
For symmetric encryption to be secure, the symmetric key must be a secret that is known only to the parties involved in the communication. The correct option is 3) A secret passphrase. It does not have to be a random number, a prime number, or a public key. Those concepts are more closely associated with asymmetric encryption. In any cryptographic system, the strength depends on the secrecy of the key used.