Presented are methods and devices for issuing an authorization for access to a secured area, particularly a building, a room, a vehicle, a computer system or the like, or for starting a machine, a vehicle, a computer or the like, having a monitoring unit comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and an evaluation device, and having a key, a key card or similar, referred to as a key in short below, having a transmitter, a receiver and an electronic device. A permissible position and/or a permissible distance between the transmitter of the monitoring unit and a permissible key is determined prior to issuing an authorization, wherein the transmitter of the monitoring unit transmits signals and the key transmits response signals back to the monitoring unit. The permissible position and/or the permissible distance of the key are determined from the signals received by the key, wherein a signal strength of said signals is evaluated in various directions and/or angles.