a method and system for pre - authenticating a pre - establishing key management on a roaming device prior to reassociation to facilitate fast hand - off in a wireless network is described . for enhanced mobility , both authentication and key establishment is performed prior to reassociation of the roaming device between access points . when the roaming device enters in contact with one of the access points , a local authentication is performed between the access point and the roaming device prior to reassociation with the access point to allow for fast hand - offs of the device between access points within the network .