SECURE OPERATION APPARATUSES AND METHODS THEREFOR

As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, and apparatus and/or method may involve a first circuit that initiates secure operations by interfacing with a user and providing operation trigger data that is signed cryptographically and secured from alteration, based on the interfacing. A second circuit, including a secure element, stores data secured from access by the first circuit, and executes secure operations separately from operations executed by the first circuit based on one or more commands provided by the first circuit. Validation circuitry validates and controls accesses to the second circuit by verifying a characteristic of the operation trigger data by executing stored validation instructions with the operation trigger data, and communicating information to the second circuit based on the verifying. The second circuit is responsive to the communicated information by initiating execution of the secure operations.