Secure access systems and methods to network elements operating in a network

A supervisory plane, in a network element, to provide secure access and control of the network element, the network element configured to operate in a network to provide various network functions therein, the supervisory plane comprising:

• a secure processor communicatively coupled to a secure memory, wherein the supervisory plane is separate from and communicatively coupled to a main processor and main memory, the supervisory plane is configured to allow secure, direct access to the main processor and the main memory;
• wherein the main processor is configured to perform Operations, Administration, Maintenance, and Provisioning (OAM&P) associated with the network element;
• and
• wherein the main processor and the main memory are controllable through the supervisory plane, but the supervisory plane is not controllable through the main processor and the main memory.

A method, in a network element operating in a network and providing various network functions therein, the network element configured with a supervisory plane to provide secure access and control of the network element, the method comprising:

• operating the network element in the network with a main processor and main memory configured to perform Operations, Administration, Maintenance, and Provisioning (OAM&P) associated with the network element;
• responsive to an event, allowing access to the network element through a supervisory plane with a secure processor communicatively coupled to a secure memory, wherein the supervisory plane is separate from and communicatively coupled to the main processor and the main memory, the supervisory plane is configured to allow secure, direct access to the main processor and the main memory;
• and
• performing a secure function with the supervisory plane on the main processor and/or the main memory.