The present invention provides for authenticating code and/or data and providing a protected environment for execution. The present invention provides for dynamically partitioning and un-partitioning a local store for the authentication of code or data. The local store is partitioned into an isolated and non-isolated section. Code or data is loaded into the isolated section. The code or data is authenticated in the isolated section of the local store. After authentication, the code is executed. After execution, the memory within the isolated region of the attached processor unit is erased, and the attached processor unit de-partitions the isolated section within the local store.