Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that receives data from a machine-type communication (MTC) device located at a premises, determines an identifier for the MTC device; compares the identifier with a list of identifiers; and, responsive to determining that the MTC device is a listed device, transmits the data to a first network element remote from the premises. The device and the first network element do not receive data from devices at the premises generating human traffic communications (HTC). The first network element transmits the data to a second network element for aggregation and subsequent transmission to a cloud data facility comprising cloud storage. A data path from the device to the first network element, from the first network element to the second network element, and from the second network element to the cloud data facility forms a secure data path. Other embodiments are disclosed.