Non-volatile memory operations

An apparatus, comprising:

• an interface module;
• a key storage module that is configured to store a key;
• a controller that is operably coupled to the interface module and to the key storage module, the controller being configured to interface with an external non-volatile storage device for storing data and the controller being configured to:
• partition the external non-volatile storage device into a first partition and a second partition, the first partition being designated as a read-only storage area for the data and the second partition being designated as a write-only storage area for new data received through the interface module,
• receive the new data having a signature through the interface module and write the new data to the second partition,
• verify the signature using the key stored in the key storage module, and
• re-designate the first partition as the write-only storage area for other new data and re-designate the second partition as the read-only storage area for the new data in response to verifying the signature using the key stored in the key storage module.

A method, comprising:

• partitioning a non-volatile storage device into a first partition and a second partition, the first partition being designated as a read-only storage area for data and the second partition being designated as a write-only storage area for new data received through an interface module;
• receiving the new data having a signature through the interface module and writing the new data to the second partition;
• verifying, by a controller, the signature with a key stored in a key storage module;
• and
• re-designating the first partition as the write-only storage area for other new data and re-designating the second partition as the read-only storage area for the new data in response to verifying the signature with the key stored in the key storage module.