Disclosed is a method for mutual authentication between a station, having a digital rights agent, and a secure removable media device. The digital rights agent initiates mutual authentication by sending a message to the secure removable media device. The secure removable media device encrypts a first random number using a public key associated with the digital rights agent. The digital rights agent decrypts the encrypted first random number, and encrypts a second random number and a first hash based on at least the first random number. The secure removable media device decrypts the encrypted second random number and the first hash, verifies the first hash to authenticate the digital rights agent, and generates a second hash based on at least the second random number. The digital rights agent verifies the second hash to authenticate the secure removable media device.