Abstract: A system and method is presented for establishing a secure conduit for SMS communication between a center and a wireless terminal. The center encrypts an authorization key in response to a wireless terminal's SMS message containing a public key and a request for the authorization key, sends back to the wireless terminal an SMS message containing the encrypted authorization key, decrypts another SMS message received from the wireless terminal which contains an authentication code and a request for a traffic key, authenticates the SMS message, encrypts the traffic key, and sends to the wireless terminal another SMS message containing the traffic key.

Abstract: A public health threat surveillance system. Remote sensing devices, each including a sensor collect information related to the presence of hazardous agents, e.g., for detecting a bio-toxin. The sensing devices format collected information in a wireless message protocol, e.g., short message service (SMS) and send formatted information. The remote sensing devices may include any adapted (i.e., with a sensor) typical wireless communications device, e.g., a cell phone, a wireless enabled PDA, notebook computer or tablet computer. A health alert processing center (HAPC) receives wireless protocol messages with the hazardous agent information. The HAPC aggregates data from collected SMS messages and selectively distributes response information, e.g., to a higher level HAPC and/or selected connected wireless devices.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for establishing a secure conduit for SMS communication between a center and a wireless terminal. The center encrypts an authorization key in response to a wireless terminal's SMS message containing a public key and a request for the authorization key, sends back to the wireless terminal an SMS message containing the encrypted authorization key, decrypts another SMS message received from the wireless terminal which contains an authentication code and a request for a traffic key, authenticates the SMS message, encrypts the traffic key, and sends to the wireless terminal another SMS message containing the traffic key.