Patent ID: 8613071

Claim:
A method of initiating a secure connection, the method comprising: intercepting a secure connection request from a client requesting a connection to a server, the intercepting using an intercepting entity distinct from the server; initiating a secure connection with the client at the intercepting entity, wherein the secure connection is associated with at least one attribute enabling a secure communication of data via the secure connection while having access to data sent via the secure connection, wherein initiating a secure connection with the client comprises: a) observing with the intercepting entity the initiation of a secure connection between the client and the server; b) determining the attribute of the secure connection from the initiation of the secure connection; and c) receiving an indication that the initiation of the secure connection between the client and the server is complete; and forwarding the attribute from the intercepting entity to a network device distinct from the intercepting entity and in a path of the secure connection between the client and the intercepting entity such that the network device can use at least the attribute to maintain the secure connection with the client, the secure connection having been initiated with the intercepting entity, while having access to data sent via the secure connection.