A technique provides security to an electronic device. The technique involves disposing a microprocessor between a printed circuit board and a circuit element to restrict physical access to the microprocessor, the microprocessor having (i) a bottom which faces the printed circuit board in a first direction and (ii) a top which faces the circuit element in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The technique further involves delivering power to the microprocessor from a power source while the microprocessor is disposed between the printed circuit board and the circuit element, the microprocessor performing electronic operations in response to the power delivered from the power source. The technique further involves electronically altering or preventing the microprocessor from further performing the electronic operations in response to tampering activity on the circuit element. Such detection of the tampering activity may involve monitoring a covert signal for tamper evidence detection.