Secure firmware execution environment for systems employing option read-only memories

An electronic device, comprising:

• a processor;
• an external connector;
• and
• a memory, coupled to the processor, the memory maintaining instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• detect the presence of a new component,
• determine whether the new component includes an option read only memory,
• determine whether the option read only memory is authorized to be executed, and
• execute the code contained within the option read only memory if the option read only memory is authorized.

A computer readable medium maintaining code segments, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• detect the presence of a new component;
• determine whether the new component includes an option read only memory;
• determine whether the option read only memory is authorized to be executed;
• and execute the code contained within the option read only memory if the option read only memory is authorized.