1. A method of processing data in a stateful protocol processing system (“SPPS”) that processes a multiplicity of flows of messages, each flow being associated with a uniquely corresponding flow identification (“FID”) that is conveyed by messages belonging to such flow, the method comprising: a) receiving a plurality of messages belonging to a particular flow; b) deriving SPPS events associated with the particular flow from the received messages; c) specifically assigning a first protocol processing core (“PPC”) to process one or more events of the particular flow in accordance with a stateful protocol (SP) of the particular flow; and d) specifically assigning a different second PPC to process one or more other events of the particular flow in accordance with the SP of the particular flow.