In one embodiment, an implantable medical device (IMD) comprises: therapeutic circuitry for controlling delivery of a medical therapy to a patient； a processor for controlling the IMD according to executable code； wireless communication circuitry for conducting wireless communications； and memory for storing data and executable code, wherein the executable comprises code for causing the processor to (1) communicate with an external programming device to define therapeutic settings for operation of the IMD, (2) perform validation operations on one or more instances of therapeutic settings by determining whether a respective instance of therapeutic settings is accompanied by permanent validation data or temporary validation data, wherein the validation operations comprise analyzing temporary validation data against at least one key of a plurality of cryptographic keys stored by the IMD.
