Internet of things system with efficient and secure communications network

Abstract

Systems and methods are described wherein sensor devices for gathering sensor data are in communication with a sensor processing application enabled to receive sensor data and to perform a function such as storing, processing, and redistributing sensor data or processed sensor data. A communication network to which the sensor devices are connected comprises a publish-subscribe broker network including a broker adapted to provide publish-subscribe broker services for entities including the sensor devices and the sensor processing application. A key management application distributes keys to entities that are authorized to send or receive on channels established within the broker network. An authorized subscriber entity connected to the broker network via a broker is enabled to receive data on a specific identified channel by subscribing to the channel and receive published data on the channel published by an authorized publisher entity. The broker network routes packets of sensor data, on behalf of an entity that is authorized to publish, to any sensor processing application which is an authorized subscriber to the sensor data.