exchange message 180 as shown in fig2 c client key exchange message 180 comprises i version number 290 previously included in client hello message 150 in order to prevent rollback attacks and ii a pre master key 295 according to one embodiment of the invention pre master key 295 includes a 48 byte value that is generated by first network device 110 pre master key 295 may be a random pseudorandom or predetermined value prior to transmission client key exchange message 180 is encrypted or alternatively pre master key 295 is encrypted with the public key of second network device 120 that was recovered from digital certificate 170 upon receipt of client key exchange message 180 second network device 120 can recover pre master key 295 using its private key securely stored within second network device 120 based on specific arithmetic and or logical operations performed on the pre master key 295 first random number 210 and second random number 260 a master key can be produced prior to completion of the ssl tls authentication procedure the master key is now used as a symmetric key for supporting encrypted communications between the network devices 110 and 120 thereafter the first processing element transfers control of the ssl tls handshake to the second processing element as described further in fig3 and 4 thereafter second processing element performs the inner authentication phase and completes the ssl tls handshake as described below referring now to fig3 a first exemplary embodiment of second network device 120 operating in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown second network device 120 comprises an input output i o interface 300 a data path dp processing element 310 and a control path processing element 320 as shown each of these.