A networking system includes a pluggable security device comprising at least one port interface that is insertable into at least one physical port, memory that stores a security key used to provide security over a network link, and processing circuitry coupled with the at least one port interface and with the memory. The processing circuitry utilizes the security key to verify security of a point-to-point connection established over the network link and after verifying the security of the point-to-point connection, provides a data integrity check function for data packets received at the at least one port interface.