Processing system with application security and methods for use therewith

A processing system comprising:

• an interface for receiving application data at the processing system corresponding to an application, the application data including authentication data;
• a one-time programmable memory that stores at least one application key;
• a processing module, coupled to the interface and the one-time programmable memory, that executes an operating system that includes a security routine to authenticate the application data based on the authentication data and the at least one application key, wherein the security routine permits the execution of the application by the processing module when the authentication data is authenticated, and that prevents the execution of the application by the processing system when the authentication data is not authenticated.