A computerized access device useful within a network and adapted to provide communication security. In one embodiment, the network comprises an untrusted network, and the access device comprises stand-alone network security apparatus adapted to create associations with other network security devices on the network. Traffic between the associated devices may be encrypted for e.g., data confidentiality and integrity protection. In one variant, the network security apparatus comprises a software entity disposed at least partly within the software stack of a stand-alone hardware device. In another variant, the device functions as a gateway or portal to another network (e.g., the Internet or another untrusted network), or to another device within the same network.