1. A method of performing cryptographic operations, comprising: receiving, within a thread of execution, a first request for a first cryptographic operation that is at least part of a secure communication protocol handshake that is an SSL handshake; initiating, within the thread of execution, the first cryptographic operation by communicating with a single cryptographic accelerator; after initiating the first cryptographic operation, receiving, within the thread of execution, a second request for a second cryptographic operation; initiating, within the thread of execution, the second cryptographic operation by communicating with the same single cryptographic accelerator; and receiving an indication that the first cryptographic operation has completed, wherein, the initiation of the second cryptographic operation is performed prior to receiving the indication that the first cryptographic operation has completed, and wherein the second cryptographic operation completes prior to the completion of the first cryptographic operation.