Provided are a computer program product, system and method embodiments for secure communication between an initiator and a responder over a network. The responder receives, from the initiator, a security association initialization message to establish a security association with the responder including key material used to generate a key for the security association. The responder receives an authentication message from the initiator to program the responder to establish authentication between the responder and the initiator after establishing the security association. The responder sends an authentication message response to the initiator to establish authentication with the responder in response to the authentication message. The responder sends an authentication done message to the initiator after sending the authentication message response to cause the initiator to activate using the security association and the key to encrypt and decrypt communication between the responder and initiator.