Patent ID: 7873042

Claim:
One or more non-transitory computer-readable media (“media”) having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps for enabling multi-layered packet security, the steps comprising: modifying, using a first routing component, a header of a packet to include an identifier that identifies a manner in which a second routing component should subject the packet to a particular set of a plurality of sets of rules, wherein the particular set dictates whether the packet is to be forwarded; and communicating the packet to the second routing component, which is configured to reference the identifier to determine which, if any, of the plurality of sets of rules to apply to the packet, wherein the second routing component also is configured to modify the header of the packet to include an additional identifier that identifies a manner in which the packet should be subject to an additional particular set of an additional plurality of sets of rules, wherein the additional particular set further dictates how the packet is to be handled, and wherein the modified header includes the identifier and the additional identifier.