One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and
article of manufacture for limiting unauthorized access to digital
services. A hidden non-modifiable identification number is embedded into
a nonvolatile memory component. The nonvolatile memory component is used
to contain state information to provide desired functionality and enforce
one or more security policies for accessing the digital services. Also,
the hidden number uniquely identifies a device containing the nonvolatile
memory component and access to the digital services is based on access
rights associated with the hidden number. Once embedded, access to the
nonvolatile memory component is isolated such that access to the
identification number is limited to a fixed state custom logic block, the
nonvolatile memory component is protected from modification such that it
is read only, and the nonvolatile memory component is not directly
accessible via a system bus.