Methods and systems for protecting data that is intended for use and processed on video or graphics cards are described. In one embodiment, data is provided into a first portion of memory on a video card and the first portion has a first level of protection. The data is operated upon to provide resultant data on the video card. A determination is made as to whether a second portion of the memory on the video card has a level of protection that is compatible with the first level of protection. If the first and second levels of protection are compatible, the resultant data is provided into the second portion of the memory on the video card.