A computer implemented method includes creating a cache within system management memory to cache data from a firmware flash memory to allow access to the cache by system firmware, providing a baseboard management controller ownership of the firmware flash memory in a server, updating the firmware in the firmware flash memory via the baseboard management controller, relinquishing baseboard management controller ownership of firmware flash memory upon completion of updating the firmware, and flushing the cache back to the firmware flash memory in response to baseboard management controller relinquishing ownership of the firmware flash memory.