A system is disclosed and includes an adapter, an activation apparatus and a sensor apparatus. The adapter is for use with a mechanical key. The adapter comprises a body which includes an RFID assembly and which, in use, is securely coupled to the head of said key. The activation apparatus is for use with a key to which a body is securely coupled and comprises an RFID writer operable to encode said RFID assembly to form an RFID-tagged mechanical key. The sensor apparatus is for use with an RFID-tagged mechanical key and comprises an RFID reader adapted to output data in standard Wiegand format in the presence of said RFID-tagged mechanical key. Methods for use with the system are also disclosed.