A sensor panel for detecting a free-space gesture signature conducted with a gesturing instrument by providing a panel mounted on a controlled system with multiple gesturing sensors in a two-dimensional arrangement to detect movement of a gesturing instrument, and an array of infrared (“IR”) type sensors adapted to detect movement of gesturing instruments which are distinguishable by heat; determining a sensor sequence from a series of sensor detection events responsive to movement of a gesturing instrument within the sensor proximity; correlating the sensor sequence to a predetermined seguence in order to authenticate a user of the gesturing instrument: and responsive to authentication of the user, authorizing a physical security action, wherein the a gesturing sensors comprise a combination of two or more sensors selected from Radio Frequency Identification type sensors acoustic sensors, acoustic type sensors adapted to detect movement of acoustic-reflective gesturing instruments, and infrared type sensors.