Method and apparatus for secure communication in a digital two way radio protocol

A method for secure communication in a digital two way radio protocol, comprising:

• at a target radio, receiving, using a direct communication protocol, encrypted data traffic from at least one originating radio;
• receiving, using a direct communication protocol, at least one control value from the at least one originating radio;
• generating a decryption key based on the at least one control value and a personal identification code at the target radio;
• and
• decrypting the encrypted data traffic with the decryption key to provide decrypted data traffic at the target radio.

A digital two-way radio, comprising:

• a transceiver that is capable of transmitting wireless signals and receiving wireless signals;
• a machine readable storage medium;
• and
• a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is operable to:
• generate at least one control value;
• generate an encryption key based on the at least one control value and a personal identification code;
• encrypt data traffic with the encryption key to provide encrypted data traffic;
• transmit, using a direct communication protocol, the at least one control value to at least one target radio;
• and
• transmit, using a direct communication protocol, the encrypted data traffic to the at least one target radio.