A system (706, 714) is provided for a network signaling protocol bypass around a cryptographic device (1006, 1106). The system is comprised of a bypass means for receiving a packet (900) having a transport layer protocol header (908), for parsing a GIST signaling transport protocol identifier (950) from the transport layer protocol header, and for determining whether the GIST signaling transport protocol identifier is a NTLP or a NSIS signaling transport protocol identifier. If the GIST signaling transport protocol identifier is a NTLP or a NSIS signaling transport protocol identifier, the packet is bypassed around the cryptographic device. However, if the GIST signaling transport protocol identifier is not a NTLP or NSIS signaling transport protocol identifier, the packet is forwarded to the cryptographic device. A method is also provided for a network signaling protocol bypass around the cryptographic device.