System console device authentication in a network environment

A method for providing secure access to console functions of a computer system and authentication of a console device is disclosed. The method comprises first initiating a first EKE sequence to generate a unique shared secret per device utilizing a default device identifier and associated default shared secret on a system-attached device from which a console operation is desired to be enabled. Then, a shared secret is generated from the first EKE sequence, and the generated shared secret is utilized in place of the default device shared secret in subsequent console authentication procedures for that device. Following, the shared secret is securely stored within a storage location of the system and on the system-attached device. The device's shared secret is subsequently replaced on each connection from that device.