A method and apparatus is provided for connecting a communication device to a deployable system. The deployable system obtains at least one deployable key derived on a fixed system for the deployable system based on an existing key stored on a database of the fixed system, wherein the existing key is used to authenticate a communication device. The deployable system stores the derived key. Subsequent to the storing, the deployable system is activated to provide communication resources to communication devices disconnected from the fixed system. The activated deployable system is not connected to the fixed system. The activated deployable system receives an authentication request from the communication device requesting connection to the deployable system; generates authentication vectors using the at least one derived deployable key; and authenticates an authentication response received from the communication device using the authentication vectors.