Abstract: A system which utilizes a control interface of a powered component of a device to protect said component from being corrupted by random values which may be present on the control interface as a result of powering off or powering on an attached device component. When the powered component powers off the attached component, the powered component is locked and ignores any control sequences from the attached component until the attached component is powered back on and the attached component sends a correct unlock sequence to the control interface to unlock the powered component.