An improved physical access control system has an online portion and an offline portion. A smartcard is configurable to transport access control information between the online portion and offline portion. The smartcard is further configurable to receive an offline reader identifier from an offline reader, and to control access of the smartcard holder to an offline entry/exit point. The smartcard is further configurable to carry a revoked list that is transmitted to each offline reader accessed. Methods of operating the improved physical access control system are also disclosed.