Methods and modular cryptographic device with enhanced interface protocol

A cryptographic device (30) may include a cryptographic module (31) and a communications module (32) coupled thereto. The cryptographic module (31) may include a user network interface (35) and a cryptographic processor (36) coupled thereto. The communications module (32) may include a network communications interface (47) coupled to the cryptographic processor (36). The cryptographic processor (36) may communicate with the user network interface (35) using a predetermined protocol, and the cryptographic processor may also communicate with the network communications interface (47) using the predetermined protocol.