In an aspect, a wireless communication between a transmitter and a receiver involves determining updated keys according to a key management process for MAC layer encryption. Such key is propagated to a transmitter MAC and though a receiver key management process to a receiver MAC. After a delay, transmitter MAC device begins using the updated key, instead of a prior key, for payload encryption. Receiver MAC continues to use the prior key until a packet that was accurately received fails a message integrity/authentication check. Then, the receiver MAC swaps in the updated key and continues to process received packets. The packet data that failed the message integrity check is discarded. Transmitter MAC retries the failed packet at a later time, and if the packet was accurately received and was encrypted by the transmitter MAC using the updated key, then the receiver will determine that the message is authentic and will receive it and acknowledge it.