CompTIA Security+ Exam Prep

Category - Engineering

Darrell and Ken are in an argument. Darrell believes algorithms should be publically known, while Ken believes algorithms should be kept secret. What is being argued?
  1. Newton’s Principle
  2. Cipher Principle
  3. Kerckhoff’s Principle
  4. Plain Text Principle
Explanation
Answer: C - The Kerckhoff’s Principle is being argued. The Kerckhoff’s principle was published in 1883, stating the only secrecy involved with a cryptography system should be the key. He claimed that the algorithm should be publicly known. He asserted that if security were based on too many secrets, there would be more vulnerability to possibly exploit. Cryptographers in the private and academic sectors agree with Kerckhoff’s principle, because making an algorithm publicly available means that many more people can view the source code, test it, and uncover any type of flaws or weaknesses. Others disagree. Governments around the world create their own algorithms that are not released to the public. Their stance is that if a smaller number of people know how the algorithm actually works, then a smaller number of people will break the code.
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