diff --git a/library/common.h b/library/common.h
index 5845766..6a9f259 100644
--- a/library/common.h
+++ b/library/common.h
@@ -50,4 +50,21 @@
 #define MBEDTLS_STATIC_TESTABLE static
 #endif
 
+/** Allow library to access its structs' private members.
+ *
+ * Although structs defined in header files are publicly available,
+ * their members are private and should not be accessed by the user.
+ */
+#define MBEDTLS_ALLOW_PRIVATE_ACCESS
+
+/** Byte Reading Macros
+ * 
+ * To tidy up code and save horizontal and vertical space, use byte 
+ * reading macros to cast
+ */
+#define BYTE_0( x ) ( (uint8_t) ( ( x ) & 0xff )  )
+#define BYTE_1( x ) ( (uint8_t) ( ( ( x ) >> 8 ) & 0xff )  )
+#define BYTE_2( x ) ( (uint8_t) ( ( ( x ) >> 16 ) & 0xff ) )
+#define BYTE_3( x ) ( (uint8_t) ( ( ( x ) >> 24 ) & 0xff ) )
+
 #endif /* MBEDTLS_LIBRARY_COMMON_H */