Secure mode state data access tracking

Abstract

A data processing apparatus is provided which uses flag circuitry (174) to set an access tracking flag (SFPA) to a first value when the processing circuitry (154) enters a secure mode in association with a function call and to switch the access tracking flag to a second value upon detection of a first access of at least one type to predetermined state data, such as floating point register data, by processing circuitry operating in the secure mode in association with that function call. This access tracking flag may then be used in association with a lazy-protection program instruction (VLSTM) and a lazy-load program instruction (VLLDM) to control whether or not push operations of the state data and restore operations of the state data are performed in order to prevent access in the non-secure mode to that state data.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.