PROVIDING ACCESS TO A DATA ITEM USING ACCESS GRAPHS

An approach is described for controlling access to a data item using one or more access graphs. The approach entails distributing a compact package of access-related information to a recipient that pertains to the access graphs. The recipient can use the access-related information to access the data item through the access graphs in an off-line mode of operation. In one implementation, the access-related information includes markers associated with edges between nodes in the access graphs. One type of marker can link the data item to two or more nodes of the access graphs. This type of marker can be used to implement a logical AND operation among two or more policy factors.