A data processing system and method are disclosed for maintaining a secure data block within the system. A block of data is established within the system. The block of data is associated with a particular user and a particular application. A hardware master key pair is established for the system. The hardware master key pair includes a master private key and a master public key. The hardware master key pair is associated with the system for which it was established so that the master private key is known to only that system. The block of data is encrypted utilizing the master public key. The master private key is required to decrypt the encrypted block of data. This data processing system is the only system capable of decrypting the encrypted block of data.