A method and apparatus for retrieving data from a memory in which data, an associated message authentication code (MAC) and an associated error correction code (ECC) are stored in a memory such that the data, MAC and ECC can be retrieved together in a single read transaction and written in a single write transaction. Additional read transactions may be used to retrieve counters values that enable the retrieved MAC to be compared with a computed MAC. Still further, node value values of an integrity tree may also be retrieved to enable hash values of the integrity tree to be verified. The MAC and ECC may be stored in a metadata region of a memory module, for example.