Systems are provided for the enhancement of the system BIOS for microprocessor-based devices. Before the end of a BIOS start-up procedure, the BIOS operation is diverted to a BIOS security authentication system which may be a portion of an enhanced system BIOS. The BIOS security authentication system establishes communication with an information module, if the information module is present. The information module is typically a removable or installable card, which may be unique to one or more users. Based upon an information exchange between the security authentication module and the information module, the security authentication module controllably allows or prevents the system BIOS start-up procedure to resume and finish. In a preferred embodiment, the security authentication module is used as a pre-boot authentication system, to prevent a microprocessor-based device from booting up, unless a valid authorized information module is present. In other preferred embodiments, an adaptive security authentication module interface is provided, to allow information exchange with a variety of information modules having one or more information formats. In alternate embodiments, information from the information exchange may be transferred to the main system BIOS (such as to provide system functions to the BIOS, or to provide identity information of the user, based upon the information module).