In a photobiomodulation therapy (PBT) process, defined patterns (e.g., sequences of square-wave pulses, sine waves, or combinations thereof) of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) having one or more wavelengths, or spectral bands of wavelengths, are introduced into a living organism (e.g. a human being or animal) using a distributed system comprising two or more distributed components or “nodes” communicating using a bus or transceiver to send instructions or files between or among the constituent components. The distributed PBT system prevents intentional usurpation of system control (hacking), thwarts unauthorized monitoring of data (surveillance), and reduces the likelihood and severity of accidental system malfunction arising from corrupted command and control packets or ambient EMI.