secretization

Secretization is a social and organizational process in which information, practices, or knowledge are designated as secret and made accessible only to a restricted audience. It is more than a single act of concealment; it describes a recurring pattern by which groups create boundaries that determine who may know, act on, or challenge certain matters.

It occurs across many sectors, including government and military classification, corporate trade secrets, proprietary scientific data, and secure digital systems. In each setting, information is not merely hidden but organized as secret through norms, laws, or internal rules that justify restricted access and control its dissemination.

Common mechanisms include formal classification levels, need-to-know rules, internal redaction, and technical controls such as encryption and access management. Secretization can be reinforced by rituals, jargon, or symbols that stigmatize disclosure and preserve trust within a select group.

Supporters argue that secretization protects security, privacy, and competitive advantage, and helps coordinate actions under uncertainty. Critics contend that it can erode accountability, hinder transparency and innovation, and enable abuses when secrets are overbroad, improperly maintained, or shield misconduct.

Notable instances include state secrecy regimes, corporate and research trade secrets, and the practices of certain professional or religious groups that guard specialized knowledge.

See also: secrecy, transparency, information governance, encryption.