Sensor nodes and host forming a tiered ecosystem that uses public and private data for duplication

One or more networks each include a plurality of sensor nodes operable to communicate public data with each other. Each of the plurality of sensor nodes is operable to gather sensor node data and store the sensor node data locally on the sensor node. Duplicate portions of the sensor node data are distributed to the public data of others of the plurality of sensor nodes via the public data paths for backup storage. The system includes a host that is coupled to individually communicate private data with each of the plurality of sensor nodes. Each of the sensor nodes protects the private data from others of the sensor nodes using distributed key management to ensure distributed encryption.