A heterogeneous clustered anti-pass back host processing system and method can include a single heterogeneous host system receiving a triggering signal from a first access controller in a plurality of access controllers, the single heterogeneous host system identifying all areas referenced by the first access controller, a respective type of anti-pass back feature associated with each of the areas referenced by the first access controller, and a least restrictive type of the respective type of anti-pass back feature associated with each of the areas referenced by the first access controller, and the single heterogeneous host system transmitting an anti-pass back status update message to each of the plurality of access controllers in accordance with rules of the least restrictive type of the respective type of anti-pass back feature associated with each of the areas referenced by the first access controller.