A method includes receiving registration information regarding a telematics unit and a control system for each equipment piece in a plurality of equipment pieces; receiving a seed from a control system via a telematics unit for a particular equipment piece in the plurality of equipment pieces responsive to reception of a telematics session request by the control system for the particular equipment piece of the plurality of equipment pieces; authenticating the telematics unit and the control system for the particular equipment piece based on information included with the seed and the registration information; generating an encrypted key responsive to the authentication; and providing the encrypted key to the control system via the telematics unit to establish a proprietary data communication channel from the control system to the processing circuit via the telematics unit for the particular equipment piece.