# Kerckhoffs's principle

> English word · Proper noun

## Definitions
1. The idea that a cryptosystem should be designed to be secure even if everything about the system, except the secret key, is public knowledge.

## Etymology
Named after Auguste Kerckhoffs.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/kerckhoffs-s-principle