This paper describes a new security framework that will leverage the security in cognitive radio cooperative protocols. The architecture uses the 802.1X access control mechanism and is supported by a Key Distribution Center (KDC) built upon an 802.1X Authentication Server. The KDC is used, together with a new terminal identification policy and modified DHCP servers, to provide proper resource allocation and message authentication in DHCP transactions. The KDC is also used to authenticate mappings between layer 2 and 3 addresses (ARP protocol) and to distribute session keys to neighbor cognitive radio terminals, allowing them to set up other peer-to-peer secure interactions using such session keys.