The present invention provides a secure buffer for use in data storage and encryption processing. Blocks or packets of data are passed to a secure buffer within a processor. The processor may be one of many coprocessors, and the secure buffer may be inaccessible to some or all of the coprocessors. Data may be partially or fully encrypted and stored within the secure buffer. Encryption may occur before or after storage in the buffer, or it may take place within the buffer itself. Optionally, the encrypted data may be sent to and retrieved from a shared memory that is accessible by other coprocessors.