Abstract: Structures and methods within an integrated circuit for controlling access to secured information embedded therein. A security block embedded within an integrated circuit (e.g., an SOC) may control authorized and unauthorized access to secured information stored within a memory of the integrated circuit. The security block may combine security key techniques and structures with a counting technique and structure such that when a maximum number of unauthorized attempts are detected, all further access to the secured information will be denied thereby rendering the IC unusable. In one aspect, the counting features may be implemented using a one time programmable register comprising a plurality of one time programmable bits such that each bit may be set to indicate detection of an unauthorized access attempt. If all bits of the OTP register are so set, the maximum number of unauthorized attempts has been detected and the circuit precludes all further access attempts.