A method, a network element, and a network include determining an authentication mechanism between two nodes in a network path; operating the network path; performing connectivity check between the two nodes in the network path; and authenticating specific frames in the connectivity check between the two nodes with the authentication mechanism responsive to the specific frames affecting a state of the network path. The frames can be Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD), Continuity Check Messages (CCMs), etc. Advantageously, the method, network element, and network reduce the computational load of providing authentication while maintaining secure authentication for important frames, i.e., ones that affect the state of the network path.