diff --git a/meshtastic/channel.proto b/meshtastic/channel.proto
index f49895a..89a0c6e 100644
--- a/meshtastic/channel.proto
+++ b/meshtastic/channel.proto
@@ -87,6 +87,15 @@ message ChannelSettings {
    * Per-channel module settings.
    */
   ModuleSettings module_settings = 7;
+
+  /*
+   * Enable authenticated encryption (AES-CCM) for this channel.
+   * When true, messages include a 12-byte authentication tag that prevents
+   * forgery and bit-flipping attacks. All nodes on the channel must have
+   * this enabled — unauthenticated (AES-CTR) packets are rejected.
+   * Experimental. Default: false (standard AES-CTR encryption).
+   */
+  bool use_aead = 8;
 }
 
 /*