A programmable processor and methods thereof are provided. The example programmable processor may include a memory lock signal generator outputting a memory lock signal, the memory lock signal indicating whether a requesting entity has authority to access requested data stored in a memory and a memory access controller receiving a request for the requested data and the memory lock signal, the memory access controller outputting a response to the requesting entity in response to the request based on the memory lock signal. A first example method may include receiving a request, from a requesting entity, to access requested data stored in a memory, determining information associated with the requesting entity and selectively outputting a response to the received request based on a security level of a location of the requested data within the memory and the determined information. A second example method may include receiving a memory lock signal indicating whether a requesting entity has authority to access requested data stored in a memory, receiving a request for the requested data from the requesting entity and selectively outputting one of the requested data and a default value other than the requested data to the requesting entity based on the memory lock signal.