Systems and methods for securing communication within a network endpoint, for example, a meter. The meter may include a communication module and a metrology module where the modules are connected via a communication path that is external to both modules. The modules exchange a pairing key to establish a paired channel of communication. When the communication module receives a communication through a network for establishing a secure channel to the endpoint, the communications module sends some or all of the security data to the metrology module to establish a secure communication from a head-end system through the communication module to the metrology module.