Methods for rule-based group security data management and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a complex rule set corresponding to at least one electronic document, the complex rule set including a combination of granting rules, denying rules, and rule precedence. The method includes generating derived user groups according to the complex rule set. The method includes deriving grant rules for each electronic document according to the complex rule set to produce a derived grant rule set. The method includes storing the derived grant rules as associated with the electronic document.