A system, apparatus and method for updating security configurations of a plurality of servers from a centralized directory server. The system includes a centralized directory server and a plurality of servers that provide resources and store files for use by users of the system. Each file/resource associated with the servers includes a security parameter list identifying authorized users of the file/resource. The security parameter lists are updated from the centralized directory server by first inputting changes to the system security configuration in the directory server and then downloading these changes to the plurality of servers. The changes are used by the plurality of servers to update the security parameter lists associated with the files/resources of the server.