Method and apparatus for secure communication between network devices in a communication network

It is proposed a method for secure communication between network devices in a communications network. The first network device includes at least one secure hardware component for safe storage and secure execution of software. The second network device includes at least one secure software component for safe storage and secure execution of software. The method comprises the steps of: storing a first shared secret, a first algorithm and a second algorithm on the first network device; Transmitting a first data from the second network device to the first network device; Executing the first algorithm to the first network device and the second network device, wherein the input to the first algorithm, respectively, by the first shared secret and the first data is formed; Sending a second datum of the first network device to the second network device; Executing the second algorithm on the first network device and the second network device, wherein the input to the second algorithm in each case by the second common secret and the second data is formed; and using the third shared secret by the first network device and the second network device for secure communications. This provides a secure and authentic communication between two network devices, such as an insecure hardware platform and a secure module created.