Variable cycle instruction execution in variable or maximum fixed cycle mode to disguise execution path

A data processing system 2 is provided which is responsive to program instructions that operate in a variable timing mode to require a variable number of processing cycles to complete. The system is also operable in a fixed timing mode, which may be programmable using a bit (or several bits) within a configuration controlling register, to operate in a fixed timing mode in which such instructions are forced to operate using a fixed number of processing cycles. Thus, suppression of instructions which fail their condition codes may be suppressed and early termination of program instructions similarly suppressed in a manner which helps resist an attack upon the security of the system by observing the number of processing cycles required to process certain data.