Access system and method of operating the same

An access system for gaining access to a vehicle, comprising:

• a communication unit configured to establish a communication channel with an external device and to receive at least one credential from the external device through said communication channel;
• a secure element configured to perform a verification of said credential and to grant or deny access to the vehicle in dependence on a result of the verification of the credential.
• wherein the secure element is further configured to transmit, upon or after a positive verification of the credential, a message to a controller comprised in the vehicle, wherein said message contains an instruction to unlock the vehicle.

A method of operating an access system for gaining access to a vehicle, the method comprising:

• establishing, by a communication unit included in the access system, a communication channel with an external device and receiving at least one credential from the external device through said communication channel;
• performing, by a secure element included in the access system, a verification of said credential and granting or denying access to the vehicle in dependence on a result of the verification of the credential.