Method and system for applying a policy to binary data

Abstract

Applying a system policy for a program module to binary-formatted data within registry of a computer system operating within an administered computer network environment. At program launch, a program can search a particular location in registry to locate certain registry values maintained at that registry location. The program enumerates the name/value pairs maintained at that registry location. These registry values typically have a format that describes an offset defining a location within a global data structure and the number of binary bits that can be processed at that data structure location. In this manner, registry data values maintained within a predetermined location of the registry can be encoded to include content that supports the application of a system policy to the binary values maintained in the global data structure. Although the application of system policy will change the original value stored at the specified location within the global data structure, this original value can be recorded prior to translating the policy value into a bit mask that can be applied to the data structure. At the conclusion of the program session, any changes applied to the global data structure can be rolled back to the original values to enable these original values to persist for subsequent use during another program session.