1. A method for protecting access control list information when the access control list information is communicated from a dispersed storage managing unit that is adapted to be coupled to a network, the method comprising the steps of: combining access control list store information and clock information to create combined information, the access control list store information containing data that allows for authentication of at least one of: system users; user transactions; and user access to system resources across the network; processing the combined information via a hash function to create a hash output; processing the hash output and security key data via an encryption algorithm to create an encrypted signature output; combining the encrypted signature output and the combined information to create an access control list publish object; and preparing to distribute the access control list publish object external to the dispersed storage managing unit for processing by external system elements over the network.