A system for collecting and managing seismic data via an external communications network comprises one or more seismic stations, each including a seismic measurement apparatus producing seismic signals, a station processor converting the signals to seismic data, a station memory securely storing the seismic data on site and a station communication interface transmitting the seismic data onto an external network. The system further comprises one or more data servers, each including a server computing device, a server communication interface receiving the seismic data from the seismic stations and a server memory storing the received seismic data. The data server can determine if the received seismic data satisfies predetermined conditions for certification and/or triggering a payout in accordance with a contract, and can thereafter transmit the appropriate data signals to another location on the external communications network.