A method for hierarchically processing LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) operations against a SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) directory is provided. The method includes providing an LDAP Directory Information Tree (DIT) including a plurality of LDAP DIT entries that describe LDAP containers, users and groups, providing a SCIM directory including a plurality of SCIM resource entries that describe SCIM users and groups, migrating the plurality of LDAP DIT entries to the SCIM directory, receiving, from an LDAP-based application over a network, an LDAP operation request, processing the LDAP operation request, and returning an LDAP operation response to the LDAP-based application over the network.