Data retention kill function

1. A system comprising:

an array of memory cells; and

a logic device operatively coupled to the array, wherein the logic device is configured to initiate a security measure with respect to the array upon occurrence of any of one or more triggering events, wherein the one or more triggering events comprise receipt of a command signal.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the logic device comprises a kill function logic device.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a memory device, and the array and the logic device are both memory device components.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the array of memory cells comprises a memory device, and the logic device is independent of the memory device.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the logic device interacts with the array to selectively prevent access to secure data stored within the array.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise removal of a field replaceable unit (FRU) of the system.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the FRU comprises a memory device that includes the array of memory cells.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise a change in voltage supplied to a device that includes the array.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise a change in voltage supplied to the logic device.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the command signal comprises a kill command signal.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the logic device is configured to receive the command signal.

12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a dedicated pin configured to receive the command signal.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the command signal originates within a device that includes the array of memory cells.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the command signal instructs the logic device on the security measure to be initiated.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the command signal instructs the logic device on a portion of the array to secure.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the security measure comprises a measure to protect the security of data stored in the array of memory cells.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the security measure comprises disabling read access to some or all of the array.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein disabling read access comprises grounding wordlines of the array.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein disabling read access comprises grounding bit lines of the array.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the security measure comprises erasing all or some portion of data stored within the array.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein erasing all or some portion of data stored within the array comprises erasing the data in an accelerated fashion.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the security measure comprises disabling a device that includes the array.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein disabling the device comprises disconnecting one or more data paths within the device.

24. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise an input to a device that includes the array.

25. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise a change in operation conditions of a device that includes the array.

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the change comprises a change in an input level on an input pin.

27. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise failure of an electronic system to provide a specific authentication sequence.

28. The system of claim 1 , wherein a device that includes the array further includes a register configured to allow the logic device to be enabled.

29. The system of claim 1 , wherein a device that includes the array further includes a register configured to set an authentication sequence to be required from an electronic system.

30. The system of claim 1 , wherein a device that includes the array further includes a register configured to set a trigger point corresponding to the one or more triggering events that would cause the logic device to commence the security measure.

31. The system of claim 1 , wherein a device that includes the array further includes a register configured to enable the initiation of the security measure.

32. The system of claim 1 , wherein a device that includes the array further includes a register configured to determine whether an authentication sequence is required, wherein the one or more triggering events comprise a failure of the authentication sequence.

33. The system of claim 1 , wherein a device that includes the array further includes a register configured to determine which authentication sequence is required, wherein the one or more triggering events comprise comprises a failure of the authentication sequence.

34. A memory device configured to initiate a security measure upon occurrence of any of one or more triggering events, wherein the one or more triggering events comprise receipt of a command signal.

35. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise removal of a field replaceable unit (FRU) of a system that includes the device.

36. The memory device of claim 35 , wherein the FRU comprises the memory device.

37. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise change in an operating condition of the device.

38. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise a change in a supply voltage of the device.

39. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise deactivation of the device.

40. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the command signal is received through a dedicated pin of the memory device.

41. The memory device of claim 40 , wherein the dedicated pin comprises a kill pin.

42. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the command signal originates from within the device.

43. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the command signal provides instructions on the security measure to be initiated.

44. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the command signal provides instructions on a portion of the memory device to secure.

45. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise a failure of an electronic system to provide a specific authentication sequence.

46. The memory device of claim 34 , wherein the one or more triggering events comprise an input to the device.

47. The memory device of claim 46 , wherein the input comprises a change in input level on an input pin.

48. A method comprising:

receiving a command signal at a logic device operatively coupled to a memory upon occurrence of any of one or more triggering events; and

initiating a security measure with respect to the memory upon receipt of the command signal.

49. The method of claim 48 , wherein the initiating of the security measure comprises selectively preventing access to secure data stored within the memory.

50. The method of claim 48 , comprising utilizing the command signal at the logic device to determine the security measure to be initiated.

51. The method of claim 48 , wherein the security measure comprises erasing all or some portion of data stored within the memory.

52. The system of claim 51 , wherein erasing all or some portion of data stored within the memory comprises erasing the data in an accelerated fashion.