Authenticating an intermediate communication device

A host device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:
• access device information corresponding to an intermediate communication device that is communicatively coupled to the host device;
• identify a unique identifier corresponding to the intermediate communication device from the accessed device information;
• query a public key corresponding to the identified unique identifier from a remote resource;
• receive the public key from the remote resource;
• generate random data and send the random data to the intermediate communication device;
• receive signed data from the intermediate communication device;
• and
• authenticate the intermediate communication device based on the signed data and a private key stored in the intermediate communication device.

An intermediate communication device, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:
• enable access to device information, stored on the intermediate communication device, to a host device, wherein the intermediate communication device is communicatively coupled to the host device;
• receive random data generated based on the device information from the host device;
• sign the random data to generate signed data using a private key stored on the intermediate communication device;
• and
• communicate the signed data to the host device for authentication.