Abstract: According to some embodiments an electronic processing system may include a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and security code stored on the memory which when executed by the processor is to provide a trusted execution environment. A storage system may be coupled to the processor from outside of the trusted execution environment. The storage system may include a persistent storage media, a storage controller coupled to the persistent storage media, operating system code stored on the persistent storage media which when executed by the processor is to manage a file system for the electronic processing system, and storage controller code stored on the persistent storage media which when executed by the storage controller is to provide a transport layer between the file system and the persistent storage media. A sideband interface may be coupled between the storage system and the trusted execution environment bypassing the transport layer and the file system.