Systems and corresponding computer-implemented methods for context-based rule evaluation in an electronic data storage system are described. A request to perform an operation with respect to a resource is received from a client device, with the request including various attributes associated with the client device. At least one set of rules applicable to the operation is identified. The rules can be formed from a combination of primitives arranged to dynamically evaluate attributes associated with the resource and attributes associated with the client device. Based on the evaluation of the rule set(s), an action is identified to be performed with respect to the resource.