Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to the use and collection of data stored in systems used to monitor, automate, and/or protect industrial systems. In one embodiment, a distributed data collection system may collect distributed data from a plurality of devices that monitor equipment in an industrial system. The data may be aggregated and transmitted to a remote interface system through a data flow control device. The data flow control device may allow the aggregate data to be transmitted but may block other types of communication between the remote interface system and the distributed data collection system. The remote interface system may process the aggregate data and make the data available to operators of the industrial system. The analysis may include predictive maintenance analysis, predictive failure analysis, asset health monitoring, and efficiency improvements.