A method and apparatus for a first IAB node for securely communicating with at least one second IAB node is provided. A secure connection with a node of a network is established. A message is received, from the node, indicating a secure messaging protocol to use to communicate with the at least one second IAB node, the message including one of at least one nonce or a key. A control message to be sent to the at least one second IAB node is transformed into a secure control message using the secure messaging protocol. The secure control message is transmitted to the at least one second IAB node.