A system and method are provided for establishing a network communication session using fast authentication. In a network system a client or user device may establish a communication session with a server using full authentication. If the session is interrupted or discontinued and resumption of the session is requested, a session identifier of the previously established session may be compared to the session identifier of the requested session. If a match is detected, the session may be resumed using a fast authentication (or re-authentication) procedure such that the session is resumed more efficiently and expediently. Fast authentication may be performed, for example, even when the first session and the resumed second session are of different authentication layers, different types of network interfaces and/or different locations. Thus, a session, such as a TLS session, may resume functionality among multiple defined authentication protocols or technologies such as 802.1X, PANA or cellular based systems.