Shannon: communication theory of secrecy systems

What changed

Developed an information-theoretic framework for secrecy systems, including formal treatment of equivocation and perfect secrecy under the paper’s stated assumptions.

Scientific scope

The record is the exact declassified 1949 Bell System Technical Journal paper. The earlier confidential report, Shannon’s communication paper, computational security, public-key cryptography and modern protocol definitions remain separate.

Evidence

The linked sources identify this contribution and its scope. WRS has not independently reconstructed the scientific claims. The record is the exact declassified 1949 Bell System Technical Journal paper. The earlier confidential report, Shannon’s communication paper, computational security, public-key cryptography and modern protocol definitions remain separate.

Contributors

• Claude E. Shannon · SCIENCE: Named source author of the scoped work; individual effort shares are not measured.

• Wiley record for communication theory of secrecy systems
• University copy of Shannon secrecy-systems paper

Provisional WRS assessment, edition 2026-10-16.1. Independent expert calibration is pending. This grade does not certify correctness or assign ownership.

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