System and method for security and access control for electronic locks

A method for authorizing access to an electronic lock using a cryptographic token, comprising:

• receiving, at the electronic lock, a digital access token from a mobile device via a wireless communication link, the digital access token comprising a digital signature, a payload, and a hierarchical lookup identifier;
• verifying, by a microcontroller of the electronic lock, the digital signature using a cryptographic public key stored locally in a storage of the electronic lock;
• checking, by the microcontroller, an expiration timestamp contained in the payload against a real-time clock integrated into the electronic lock;
• comparing the hierarchical lookup identifier against a unique device identifier stored in the storage of the electronic lock;
• and
• actuating a locking mechanism only if the digital signature is verified, the expiration timestamp is valid, and the unique device identifier corresponds to the hierarchical lookup identifier indicates membership in a group defined by the hierarchical group identifier.

An electronic lock system capable of multi-modal authentication, comprising:

• (a) a lock assembly comprising a locking mechanism and a motor;
• (b) a wireless communication module comprising a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio and a Near Field Communication (NFC) component;
• (c) a proximity sensor configured to detect a presence of a user;
• (d) a local storage memory storing access credentials and a unique device identifier;
• (e) a real-time clock;
• and
• (f) a microcontroller coupled to the motor, wireless communication module, proximity sensor, and local storage memory, wherein the microcontroller is configured to transition from a low-power state to an active state upon triggering of the proximity sensor.