Policy Unification and Organization

Because the POLICY framework is expandable and multipurpose, it is likely to contain many types of policies which require organization according to some useful dimensions.  Users can define attributes that specify the scope of policies, and these attributes can be extended to the policy-enabled functions and components. Useful policy organizing dimensions might include:

• Policy type or category (taxonomical)
• Policy life cycle
• Policy ownership or administrative domain
• Geographic area or location, 
• Technology type  
• Policy language and version 
• Security level or other security-related values, specifiers, or limiters

Attributes can be specified for each dimension. In addition to being defined for individual policies themselves, these attributes can be used to define the scope of these additional additional policy-related functions:

• Policy events or requests/triggers 
• Policy decision, enforcement, or other functions 
• Virtual functions of any type
  
  

Policy writers can define attributes so that policy events or requests self-indicate their scope. The scope is then examined by a suitable function and subsequently acted upon accordingly. Policy decisions and enforcement functions can self-indicate their scope of decision-making, enforcement, or other capabilities. Virtual functions can be automatically attached to the appropriate POLICY Framework and distribution mechanisms.