Remote administration of an electronic key to facilitate use by authorized persons

A method, performed by a smart device having a wireless networking radio, of signaling a portable electronic key configured to couple with, energize circuitry of, and electrically communicate an access credential to an electronic locking device, to enable the portable electronic key to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device, the method comprising:

• receiving, at the wireless networking radio from a server and according to a first wireless networking standardized communication protocol, access control information including an activation signal for causing the portable electronic key to change from a first state in which the portable electronic key is unable to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device to a second state in which the portable electronic key is able to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device;
• establishing, based on a second wireless networking standardized communication protocol, a wireless communications link between the wireless networking radio and wireless communication circuitry of the portable electronic key;
• performing a user verification procedure to determine if a key holder is authorized to use the portable electronic key to initiate an unlocking event at the electronic locking device;
• and
• transmitting, through the wireless communications link and in response to the user verification procedure indicating that the key holder is authorized to use the portable electronic key, a message including the activation signal that causes the portable electronic key to change from the first state to the second state.