The invention relates to an access control system and a method of remote centralized authentication, belonging to the technical field of access control. The access control system comprises a plurality of door lock devices, a plurality of access control machines, an application server, a communication base station and a user mobile phone, wherein different access control machines are uniquely identified by using equipment serial numbers, and are communicated with the application server through a communication network, wherein each access control machine comprises a signal generating unit, a control unit, a communication unit and a camera unit, after a door opening request signal generated by the signal generating unit is analyzed and treated through the control unit, door opening request information is forwarded to the application server through the communication unit, and the application server comprises a communication module, an analysis module, an interface control module and a message receiving and transmitting module. According to the access control system, the practicability, the reliability and the safety of a remote centralized authentication mode in the access control system are further improved.