A method and apparatus for secure communication in a digital two way radio protocol is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of, at an originating radio, generating at least one control value (505). The method further includes the step of generating an encryption key based on the at least one control value and a personal identification code at the originating radio (510). The method further includes the steps of encrypting data traffic with the encryption key to provide encrypted data traffic at the originating radio (515), transmitting the at least one control value to at least one target radio (525), and transmitting the encrypted data traffic to the at least one target radio (530).