A system for securing a secret word during a read of the secret word from a read-only memory (ROM) is disclosed. The system includes a memory controller coupled to the ROM and a random number generator coupled to the memory controller. The random number generator is configured to generate a random number. The system further includes a number shuffler coupled to the random number generator and the memory controller. The number shuffler is configured to generate a bit read order based on the random number and the memory controller is configured to read bits of the secret word from the ROM according to the bit read order.