A processing system includes a timer circuit and a processing circuit. The timer circuit is configured to generate a system time signal. The processing circuit is configured to receive the system time signal, detect whether the system time signal reaches or exceeds a given reference value, and start execution of a given processing operation in response to the detection. The timer circuit has associated an error code calculation circuit configured to compute a first set of error detection bits as a function of bits of the system time signal. The processing circuit has an associated error detection circuit configured to: compute a second set of error detection bits as a function of the bits of the system time signal received, compare the first set of error detection bits with the second set of error detection bits, and generate an error signal in response to the comparison.