Resource access proxy for efficient access to sensor resources

A resource access proxy provides a facility in a network to enable a resource user to gain access to a resource. The resource access proxy receives a request and establishes a secure session with a requesting resource user, so that authorisation for access can be established. The resource access proxy also establishes a secure session with the requested resource, and forwards the resource users request to the resource. If the resource authorises the request, it returns the result to the resource user via the resource access proxy. On so establishing access, a security token can be returned to the requesting resource user, along with an attribute token to identify the resource user in the context of the network established with the resource, so that the resource user can establish direct communication with the resource for future requests in a particular session.