A system and method are provided to access a secure host device using a personal security device (PSD). A user's PSD may hold a credential of a requesting component of the secure host device. The credential may only be readable from the PSD when a secure channel is established therewith. The establishment of a secure channel with the PSD may require access to keys. The secure host device may contain a SAM capable of securely storing and operating keys. The SMA may contain the relevant keys to support establishment of a secure channel with the personal security device and release a credential to its requesting component. These criteria may achieve the secure release of the credential from the PSD to the requesting component of the secure host device to achieve access by the user when the PSD is presented in the non-contract field of a card reader monitored by the secure host device.