Apparatuses, systems, and methods for a wireless device to perform methods for improvements to security checks in a fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) network, including mechanisms to avoid redundant access stratum (AS) security checks. The wireless device may determine that an on-demand system information block (SIB) request is pending transmission and may buffer the on-demand SIB in response to determining that a connection establishment procedure will be initiated within a specified time period. The wireless device may then perform a unified security procedure for the on-demand SIB request and the connection establishment procedure, including confirming connection security. Further, in response to confirming connection security, the wireless device may use an on-demand SIB received from the network without confirming a corresponding on-demand SIB signature.