Provided are a method, system, and program that processes a file request to operate on a target file that is directed to a file system. A determination is made as to whether a rule specifies a file attribute satisfied by the target file. In response to determining that the target file satisfies the file attribute of the determined rule, a determination is made as to whether a condition specified by the determined rule is satisfied. In response to determining that the condition is satisfied, an action specified by the determined rule is performed. The file request is forwarded to the file system to execute if the rule does not inhibit the file request.