Meta data specifying modification constraints for one or more of the attributes of an (operational) policy is generated/provided. Thereafter, the meta data is associated with the policy so that the constraints specified by the meta data can govern the modification of the policy. Under the present invention there are at least two ways of associating the meta data with a policy. In one embodiment, the meta data is embodied as a meta policy that can be associated with one or more (operational) policies. In another embodiment, the meta data is inserted into individual policies as additional attributes.