A system for controlling access to resources in an apparatus when the apparatus is not active. Emerging technologies may allow information to be accessed in an apparatus memory without the operating system of the apparatus facilitating the access. In such instances, a subsystem in the apparatus may become active upon reception of wireless signals, and may grant direct access to memory. An access control configuration for the subsystem may be implemented in order to control memory access even when other software systems are inactive. The subsystem access control configuration may be configured (e.g., by the user) when the apparatus is active, and may be established (e.g., installed or updated) upon subsystem activation.