An example method includes receiving an Internet protocol (IP) address request in a network and selecting an IP address associated with a prefix that represents an IP subnet. The prefix includes a color attribute to be provided as part of a communication session that includes a plurality of packets. The prefix defines one or more properties associated with an application for the session. The prefix is communicated to a network element in a signaling plane, the prefix is configured to be used to make a routing decision for at least some of the plurality of packets. In more specific embodiments, the method can include applying one or more network policies based on the prefix associated with the IP address. The method could also include decrypting an encryption protocol in order to identify the prefix of a subsequent communication flow, and executing a routing decision based on the prefix.