Abstract: Techniques for providing access control to electronic systems based on proximity detection. An authorized user of an electronic system is provided an identifier (e.g., identification badge, key fob, magnetic card) that is associated with the user's person. The identifier provides the ability for an electronic device to determine whether the identifier is within a predetermined range of the electronic device. The identifier can be, for example, a transmitter and/or receiver that transmits and/or receives wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency signals, infrared signals). The identifier can also reflect signals to the electronic device. By associating the identifier with the user's person such that the identifier provides an indication of the associated user's location, the electronic device can determine whether the user is within the predetermined region. If the user is within the predetermined region, the electronic device can take certain actions, for example, boot up or change to a secure state.