A method and apparatus for providing access control to objects in a distributed network directory employing static resolution to resolve object attributes. A first object has a Security Equals attribute and a second object has an Equivalent To Me attribute. Upon receiving a request for the first object to access the second object, authorization of such access is verified by checking if the two attributes are synchronized. The attributes are synchronized when the Security Equals attribute of the first object includes the second object, and the Equivalent To Me attribute of the second object includes the first object. A method of synchronizing the two attributes is also disclosed.