Electronic access control

An electronic key configured to access an electronic lock, the electronic key comprising:

• a key controller connected to a lock connection interface, wherein the lock connection interface implements an electronic serial data communications interface, wherein the electronic serial data communications interface is connectable to an external computing system and to the electronic lock;
• a power source comprising a battery connected to the key controller;
• and
• a storage device configured to implement a file system compatible with an operating system of the external computing system, wherein the file system comprises file system attributes including a volume name,
• wherein the storage device stores a private key identifier, instructions executable by the key controller, and a public key identifier comprising the volume name, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the key controller to transmit the public key identifier to the electronic lock when the electronic key is used to access the electronic lock, and
• wherein the public key identifier and the private key identifier are stored at a specific location of the storage device of the electronic key, and wherein the public key identifier and the private key identifier comprise a location identifier configured to identify locations of the public key identifier and the private key identifier.

A method of accessing an electronic lock with an electronic key, the method comprising:

• establishing a connection between an electronic key and an electronic lock, wherein the electronic key comprises a storage device storing a private key identifier and a public key identifier;
• transmitting the public key identifier from the electronic key to the electronic lock;
• generating a shared secret based at least in part on the private key identifier;
• sharing the shared secret between the electronic key and the electronic lock without transmitting the shared secret between the electronic key and the electronic lock;
• generating an encrypted identifier using the shared secret;
• and
• transmitting the encrypted identifier to the electronic lock to authenticate the electronic key based at least in part on the shared secret.