A processing system comprising: - a microprocessor; - at least one hardware block configured to change operation as a function of life cycle data; - a one-time programmable memory (104; 126) comprising original life cycle data (OLCD); - means for writing one or more bits of said original life cycle data (OLCD) stored in said one-time programmable memory (104; 126), thereby advancing the life cycle indicated by said original life cycle data (OLCD); and - a hardware configuration module configured to read said original life cycle data (OLCD) from said one-time programmable memory (104; 126) and provide said original life cycle data (OLCD) to said at least one hardware block; wherein said hardware configuration module comprises a register providing said life cycle data used to change operation of said at least one hardware block, wherein said microprocessor is configured to generate a command via software instructions, said command comprising a write request for storing new life cycle data in said register, and wherein said hardware configuration module is configured to: - store said original life cycle data (OLCD) in said register; - receive said command from said microprocessor; and - selectively execute said write request, thereby overwriting said original life cycle data (OLCD) stored in said register with said new life cycle data, wherein said selectively executing said write request comprises: - determining whether said original life cycle data (OLCD) correspond to one or more reference life cycle data; and - inhibiting execution of said write request when said original life cycle data (OLCD) do not correspond to said one or more reference life cycle data. - a microprocessor; - at least one hardware block configured to change operation as a function of life cycle data; - a one-time programmable memory (104; 126) comprising original life cycle data (OLCD); - means for writing one or more bits of said original life cycle data (OLCD) stored in said one-time programmable memory (104; 126), thereby advancing the life cycle indicated by said original life cycle data (OLCD); and - a hardware configuration module configured to read said original life cycle data (OLCD) from said one-time programmable memory (104; 126) and provide said original life cycle data (OLCD) to said at least one hardware block; - store said original life cycle data (OLCD) in said register; - receive said command from said microprocessor; and - selectively execute said write request, thereby overwriting said original life cycle data (OLCD) stored in said register with said new life cycle data, wherein said selectively executing said write request comprises: - determining whether said original life cycle data (OLCD) correspond to one or more reference life cycle data; and - inhibiting execution of said write request when said original life cycle data (OLCD) do not correspond to said one or more reference life cycle data. - determining whether said original life cycle data (OLCD) correspond to one or more reference life cycle data; and - inhibiting execution of said write request when said original life cycle data (OLCD) do not correspond to said one or more reference life cycle data.