Systems and methods for applying an application layer policy to a transport layer security request are provided. A device, intermediary to one or more clients and one or more servers, can receive a transport layer security (TLS) request to establish a TLS connection between a client of the one or more clients and a server of the one or more servers. The TLS request can include an application layer request to a resource of the server. The device can apply an application layer policy to the application layer request of the TLS request. The device can determine, responsive to applying the application layer policy, whether to one of accept or reject at least the application layer request of the TLS request.