Abstract: There are disclosed methods, systems and devices whereby SSL or TLS communications between an end-user such as a browsing agent and a small embedded device such as a microcontroller without substantial memory or processing power are made possible. One approach is to provide an interfacing computing device between the end-user and the embedded device comprising an SSL/TLS proxy server/router which translates between a relatively heavyweight encryption protocol used by the end-user and a relatively lightweight encryption protocol used by the embedded device. An alternative approach utilises an SSL/TLS assistant computing device that performs computationally expensive encryption/decryption calculations on behalf of the embedded device.