disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing communication system downtime when enabling cryptographic operation of a cryptographic system of the communication system where the cryptographic system includes a first cryptographic device operatively coupled to a plurality of second cryptographic devices via a communication network of the communication system . the method includes causing a pass - through mode of the second cryptographic devices to be suspended , sequentially determining a state of each of the second cryptographic devices , causing the second cryptographic devices and the first cryptographic device to substantially simultaneously operate in a secure mode if each of the second cryptographic devices is determined to have a first state , and causing the second cryptographic devices and the first cryptographic device to operate in the pass - through mode if at least one of the plurality of second cryptographic devices is determined to have a second state .