Patent attributes
A method for controlling access to an XML document includes referencing a schema definition comprising a path security label definition associated with a sibling-to-sibling path of an XML document. An XML document may then be validated by comparing it with the schema definition. This validation may include verifying that the XML document has a path security label associated with a sibling-to-sibling path that is at least as restrictive as that specified by the path security label definition. An access security label may be assigned to a user seeking to access the sibling-to-sibling path. The path security label and the access security label may then be compared, using pre-determined access rules, to determine whether the user is authorized to access the sibling-to-sibling path. Access to the sibling-to-sibling path may then be granted or denied according to the access rules.