A method is provided for enhancing security of a communication session between first and second endpoints which employs a key management protocol. The method includes sending a first message to a first end point over a communications network requesting a secure communication session therewith. The message includes an identity of a second end point requesting the authenticated communication session. A digital certificate is received from the first endpoint over the communications network. The digital certificate is issued by a certifying source verifying information contained in the digital certificate. The digital certificate includes a plurality of fields, one or more of which are transformed in accordance with a transformation algorithm. A reverse transform is applied to the one or more transformed fields to obtain the one or more fields. The digital certificate is validated and a second message is sent to the first endpoint indicating that validation is complete.