1. A method comprising: encoding a data element using an encoder algorithm having an encoding function and at least one encoder constant to generate a plurality of encoded data elements and to organize the encoded data elements into a plurality of pillars, each pillar encoded with a respective pillar number; transmitting the plurality of pillars to a plurality of different storage units of a distributed storage network; and wherein the encoded data element from a single pillar is insufficient to identify the at least one encoder constant, but the at least one encoder constant can be identified based on encoded data elements from a plurality of pillars.