[[edit](/w/index.php?title=Knowledge_management&action=edit&section=11 "Edit section: Knowledge protection methods")] There are various methods for knowledge protection and those methods are often divided into two categories by their formality: formal protection and informal protection.[[83]](#cite_note-gast2019-83)[[84]](#cite_note-:2-84)[[85]](#cite_note-ws2023-85)[[86]](#cite_note-bolisani2013-86) Occasionally a third category is introduced, semi-formal protection, which includes contracts and trade-secrets.[[85]](#cite_note-ws2023-85)[[86]](#cite_note-bolisani2013-86)[[87]](#cite_note-stefan2017-87)  These semi-formal methods are also usually placed under formal methods. Organizations often use a combination of formal and informal knowledge protection methods to achieve comprehensive protection of their knowledge assets.[[86]](#cite_note-bolisani2013-86) The formal and informal knowledge protection mechanisms are different in nature, and they have their benefits and drawbacks. In many organizations, the challenge is to find a good mix of measures that works for the organization.[[84]](#cite_note-:2-84)

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  "text": "[[edit](/w/index.php?title=Knowledge_management&action=edit&section=11 \"Edit section: Knowledge protection methods\")]\n\nThere are various methods for knowledge protection and those methods are often divided into two categories by their formality: formal protection and informal protection.[[83]](#cite_note-gast2019-83)[[84]](#cite_note-:2-84)[[85]](#cite_note-ws2023-85)[[86]](#cite_note-bolisani2013-86) Occasionally a third category is introduced, semi-formal protection, which includes contracts and trade-secrets.[[85]](#cite_note-ws2023-85)[[86]](#cite_note-bolisani2013-86)[[87]](#cite_note-stefan2017-87)  These semi-formal methods are also usually placed under formal methods.\n\nOrganizations often use a combination of formal and informal knowledge protection methods to achieve comprehensive protection of their knowledge assets.[[86]](#cite_note-bolisani2013-86) The formal and informal knowledge protection mechanisms are different in nature, and they have their benefits and drawbacks. In many organizations, the challenge is to find a good mix of measures that works for the organization.[[84]](#cite_note-:2-84)",
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