Example embodiments provide various techniques for fast and efficient search of attributes stored in data structures. The attributes are organized following a hierarchical structure of the file system and, in an example, the attributes are stored in a data structure where the hierarchical structure is maintained. As a result, a search within such data structure may follow one or more paths along the hierarchical structure of the file system. Attributes associated with directories and files outside of the path can be excluded from the search. Example embodiments also provide various techniques for updating signatures associated with the attributes. In an example, updates to the signatures can be made incrementally. For example, signatures can be updated when the attributes change.