Methods and apparatus for virtual enterprise secure networking. A Layer 2 (L2)-based secured network solution is provided using resources of a computer platform to connect an operating system to a secured backend overlay network (e.g., enterprise, service provider or ‘zero trust network service’) in a way that does not require changes in the operating system and connection manager or alteration of network infrastructure (e.g., wireless access point) in the location where a client may reside. Under an aspect of the solution, the computer platform itself (e.g., platform hardware/Firmware/drivers) provides part of the role of the authenticator in an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1X scheme either directly by simulation of an Access Point (AP) or as a pass through to the overlay network core. This replaces the traditional access point/switch authenticator role.