A method and apparatus for machine type communication (MTC) authentication and triggering may be performed by an MTC interworking function (MTC-IWF). On a condition an Internet protocol (IP) connection does not exist between a services capability server (SCS) and an MTC device, a device trigger message may be received by the MTC device over a Tsp interface. The device trigger message may include a cryptographic key and may have an associated level of urgency. The method may further comprise determining a level of network congestion and transmitting the device trigger, including the received cryptographic key, to the MTC device in accordance with the associated level of urgency. A report may be sent to the SCS, associated with the determined level of network congestion, to indicate either success or failure of the device triggering procedure. The received cryptographic key may be used to secure an IP connection.