an access control system combines card type keys or mechanical keys and lock cylinders with keyholder authentication , so that only the authorized keyholder or keyholders can use a key at an access control point . the access control point can be a door , gate , drawer , safe , safety deposit box , computer terminal or other situation wherein high security is desirable . in a preferred embodiment , the access control system includes a series of mechanical keys having encoded data stored on the bottom edges of the keys . the encoded data may be in the form of a bar code or optical data storage , either directly formed onto the key or on a strip of plastic or other material bearing the encoded data , secured to the key . in one form of the invention , user authentication involves a biometric feature such as a fingerprint of the intended keyholder . the fingerprint is digitized , encoded and placed on the bottom edge of the mechanical key for that intended keyholder , preferably along with an encoded keyholder identifying number . an authentication reader at a high security access control point includes a keyway with a reader for the encoded data representing the encoded fingerprint , and also a fingerprint reader for reading the user &# 39 ; s fingerprint at each instance of attempted entry . comparison of the attempted user &# 39 ; s fingerprint with the stored fingerprint is preferably made directly at the access control point , so that only the access decision and a keyholder identifying code need to be sent to a central processor .