A method is provided in one example and includes establishing a plurality of persistent connections with a plurality of devices at a server; receiving presence data associated with the plurality of devices; responding to heartbeat messages provided by the plurality of devices; receiving a status change notification from a particular one of the devices; and updating status data and heartbeat data for the particular one of the devices. In more particular embodiments, the method includes encoding messages communicated on the persistent connections using an extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP). The method may also include communicating script configuration data over a particular one of the persistent connections for execution by the particular device. The persistent connections may be secured using transport layer security (TLS).