Method and system for integrating performance enhancing functions in a virtual private network (VPN)

An approach for supporting security in a communications network is disclosed. A network device includes a security peer (103, 105) that establishes a secure tunnel (113) over a data network (e.g., satellite network) for transport of encrypted traffic. The device also includes a performance peer (101, 107) for establishing a connection (109, 111) supported by the secure tunnel (113). The performance peer (101, 107) includes a plurality of modules (505-521) for providing respective performance enhancing functions to minimize performance impact of latency of the network.