A system performs a setup function which outputs a master secret key associated with a content producing device and public parameters. The system generates a secret key for a user in a content centric network (CCN) based on a master secret key associated with the content producing device, and a schema associated with the user. In response to an interest from the user that includes a name that matches the schema, the system encrypts a payload of a content object based on the name and the public parameters. The system transmits the content object to the user. The encrypted payload is configured such that it can only be decrypted by the secret key of the user and cannot be decrypted by the user if the name in the interest does not match the schema, thereby facilitating schematized access control to content objects in the CCN.