Method and apparatus for new key derivation upon handoff in wireless networks

A novel key management approach is provided for securing communication handoffs between an access terminal and two access points. An access terminal establishes a secure communication session with a first access point based on a first master session key based on a master transient key. The access terminal obtains a second access point identifier associated with a second access point and sends a message associated with a handoff to either the first access point or the second access point. The access terminal generates a second master session key based on at least the master transient key and the second access point identifier. The second master session key is used for secure communications with the second access point in connection with an intra-authenticator handoff from the first access point to the second access point. The access terminal then moves the secure communication session to the second access point.