An access control system which relies at least in part on a non-networked path for permitting an entity access to a secured location; the entity identified by the system by means of a unique entity identifier accorded the entity; entry to said secured location secured by a barrier; said barrier identified by the system by means of a unique barrier identifier accorded the barrier; said system including a local access unit located local to the barrier; said system including a barrier controller for actuation of the barrier; said local access unit issuing an open signal to the barrier controller whereby the barrier permits the entity access to the secured location if and only if data contained in a token communicated from an un-trusted communications device to the local access unit is verified by the local access unit with respect to at least a first parameter by the local access unit.