The disclosed system and method allows opening of a safe by either the safe's electronic lock, and/or by any on-site or remote access control systems. The system and method provides a data audit of all safe opening and closing, with user, time and date recordings, allows for exceptions reporting of any safe openings with a keyed bypass, and utilizes a variety of electronic high security safe locks and audit locks. An access control relay powers the safe lock's internal actuator, bypassing the safe lock's logic decoding, allowing the safe to be opened. A diode may prevent feedback to lock's logic circuits.