1. A method comprising: providing a server having access to a policy database storing a first set of policies; providing a device, separate from the server, comprising a decision engine, implemented using executable code, to manage information accessible via the device; connecting of the device to a network with the server having access to the policy database; via the network, receiving at the device from the server the first set of policies and storing the first set of policies on the device; providing a first abstraction, referenced by at least one policy of the first set of policies; storing the first abstraction on the device, wherein the first abstraction includes a definition statement used by the device when evaluating the at least one policy of the first set of policies; and using the decision engine of the device to manage information accessible via the device according to the first set of policies stored on the device, even when the device is disconnected to the network.