Systems, methods, and devices for securely communicating data are described herein. In some aspects, a station is configured to communicate with an access point. A relay includes an uncontrolled port and a controlled port. The relay is configured to forward association, authentication, and secure relay setup frames between the station and the access point through the uncontrolled port. The relay is configured to forward data packets between the station and the access point through the uncontrolled port once the station establishes a relay relationship with the relay.