AMD to Restore Memory Encryption in Ryzen 9000 Processors After Community Feedback

AMD has announced the return of Transparent Secure Memory Encryption (TSME) to its Ryzen 9000 desktop processors. A BIOS update scheduled for July will restore the ability to encrypt data in RAM, which was disabled in the previous AGESA 1.2.7.0 microcode update. In an official statement, AMD emphasized that the decision was made based on "valuable community feedback."

TSME provides hardware-level encryption for RAM, safeguarding data from attacks requiring physical access to the device, such as cold boot attacks. The feature was previously available in consumer processors, including the Ryzen 7 3700X, but disappeared after a firmware update. This raised concerns among cybersecurity experts, as TSME, while not critical for most users, appeared to be an artificial limitation rather than a technical necessity.

AMD confirmed that TSME remains a key feature for the Ryzen PRO lineup, where it is marketed as Memory Guard. The company assured users that encryption support in PRO chips will continue and expand. For standard Ryzen 9000 processors, the feature will return in July, addressing security concerns raised by users worried about their data safety.