Information generally falls into one of four categories.

• things you know that others do not (potentially restricted information)
• things others know that you do not (potentially restricted information)
• things you know and others know (public information)
• things nobody knows, you do not even know you don’t know in some cases (the unknown)

Why Restricted?

The first two categories (info you know or info known by others) can be shared but that is not always the case.  In cases where it is knowingly withheld, it becomes restricted or secret information.

In the case of restricted information, people may be aware it exists but some people are purposely denied access to this information based on specific criteria.

The restriction principle is based on a belief the information could be misused or cause undesirable results if broadly or publically disseminated.

Secret Information

Secret information is actively hidden.  The subtle difference between this and restricted information is the intent is the information owner not only restricts access to the information but also supresses awareness that the information even exists .

Leveraging Restricted and Secret Information

Secret and restricted information exist for the purpose of manipulation.  That is,  limiting the availabilty of information is solely for the purpose of influencing or manipulating outcomes.

For me, this raises an interesting question.  Is there really any value to restricted or secret information.  Would not results be more collaberative and of a higher quality if everyone had a chance to participate?

Isn’t the practice of withholding or hiding things you know, more for your personal agenda (self interest) than for the protection of others?  Universal sharing reduces fear of the unknown and can make the job of influencing or manipulating more difficult.

The old saw, information is power, becomes less overarching a principle within environments where all information is shared openly.