Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing messages for access to information stored in an open directory. A Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) LDAP Validation Proxy (LVP) is used to intercept LDAP request messages intended for the directory, validates the LDAP requests according to a schema description and optionally provides side-effects. The schema validation and LDAP message processing is modularized according to object classes representing the data stored in the directory and according to services provided. The schema is enforced by validating LDAP messages. This modularization provides a controlled message processing granularity and enables multi-threaded concurrent processing of multiple LDAP messages. The LVP has the capability of generating LDAP requests in processing LDAP messages. The LVP also intercepts and processes LDAP responses issued by a directory and intended for clients.