A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module receiving, from a user device, a data access request and accessing hierarchical data access control information. The method continues with the DS processing module obtaining a logical memory access control file from the hierarchical data access control information and determining a data access request type of the request is within access rights of the user device. When the data access request type is within the access rights of the user device, the method continues with the DS processing module obtaining a data object access control file from the hierarchical data access control information. The method continues with the DS processing module determining, from the data object access control file, whether the data access request type is restricted. When the data access request type is not restricted, the method continues with the DS processing module processing the data access request.