An information system is provided that enables stakeholders to define a secure data object that sets permissions, rules, and rights for an asset. The secure data object may be communicated to entities, such as computer hosts or hardware agents, and the entities are enable to act within the permissions, rules, and rights to conduct transactions and gather information as agents of the stakeholders. The secure data object may be received into a hardware agent attached to an asset, and the agent may have sufficient permission to monitor environmental conditions, adjust pricing, consummate a transaction, or communicate a report.