Patent ID: 8463819

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for authenticating using a centralized enterprise security framework, comprising: using a processor for performing: receiving a plurality of operation requests from a plurality of different applications at the centralized enterprise security framework, wherein the plurality of operation requests comprise a first request from a first application and a second request from a second application, and the plurality of different applications comprise the first application and the second application; retrieving a plurality of entries from a directory structure within the centralized enterprise security framework, wherein the directory structure stores the plurality of entries hierarchically, and the plurality of entries comprise a first authentication information for the first request and a second authentication information for the second request; validating, by using a processor, the first operation request by accessing the first authentication information and validating the second operation request by accessing the second authentication information, wherein the first and second authentication information are stored within the centralized enterprise security framework in a hierarchical manner at administrative points that define hierarchical relationships amongst users of the plurality of different applications of the centralized enterprise security framework such that the first authentication information or second authentication information is associated with two or more operation requests of the plurality of operation requests made by different users, and the first authentication information is not stored locally in a first policy repository of the first application and the second authentication information is not stored locally in a second policy repository of the second application; and storing the first and second operation requests in a non-transitory computer-usable medium or displaying the first and second operation requests on a display device.