Communication information transmitted in the broadband communication
system may be in a packet format and secured using encryption techniques,
for example encryption software, including a means for providing an
initial security key and updated security keys to the various pieces of
communication equipment located throughout the broadband communication
system. When communication equipment, for example a gateway, is first
registered with, for example, an IP central station, the IP central
station assigns an initial encryption key to the gateway that is assigned
and retained by a server, for example a call manager server, and the
gateway (e.g., broadband residential gateway). This initial encryption
key may be used to establish a secure two way communication between two
pieces of communication equipment as an originating point communication
equipment and a terminating point communication equipment.