Patent attributes
A system and method for providing authenticated access to an initiating terminal in relation to the services provided by a terminating terminal via a communications network are disclosed. In one aspect, a global server comprises a communications module, which receives and processes a key exchange initiation message from the initiating terminal so as to establish an encrypted communications channel with the terminating terminal. The communications module, responsive to a received key exchange initiation message, performs an encrypted communication establishment process in respect of the received key exchange initiation message. The encrypted communication establishment process comprises authenticating the initiating terminal, and in the event that the initiating terminal is successfully authenticated, transmitting keying data corresponding to the received key exchange initiation message to the terminating terminal. The keying data is identified on the basis of data associated with the initiating terminal.