A method for enabling secure communication between a client on an open
network and a server apparatus on a secure network. The method is
generally performed on a intermediary apparatus coupled to the secure
network and the open network. The method includes the steps of
negotiating a secure communications session with the client apparatus via
the open network; negotiating an open communications session with the
server via the secure network; receiving encrypted packet application
data having a length greater than a packet length via multiple data
packets; decrypting the encrypted packet application data in each data
packet; forwarding decrypted, unauthenticated application data to the
server via the secure network; and authenticating the decrypted packet
data on receipt of a final packet of the segment.