Scalable leases reduce latency and reduce the burden on a server in managing data leases. Instead of processing individual lease requests for clients seeking access to the same data, scalable leases provide for blanket leases that all of the clients can use to access the selected data. Leases may be encrypted or selectively distributed to restrict access to the data. Moreover, distributed data structures may be used to cache leases at identifiable nodes in a network to offload work from the server without all clients in the network having to cache all blanket leases issued. Thresholds for issuing blanket leases may be determined or adjusted by considerations such as demand for the selected data and server workload. Similarly, leases may be renewed on the basis of demand for selected data, conflicting lease requests, and other factors. Scalable leases may be issued for read leases and controlled write leases.