Abstract: A secure access control system has a "smart" key assembly (25) with storage means (28) for storing identification data (29) and image data (30). An interface (31) provides communication between the key assembly (25) and an access control assembly (33) having a data processing assembly (44), a user interface assembly (45), a receiving slot (38) for the key assembly (25) and an identity verifier (39). The data processing assembly (44) is controlled by a central processor (34) and has data storage means (35). The user interface assembly has a keypad (36) and an LCD (37). The identity verifier (39) compares a sensed identification of a user with the image data (30) embedded in the key assembly (25).