1. A method of controlling access to an element within one of a bus system and a network, comprising: identifying an external device that establishes a communication link with the one of the bus system and the network via a gateway, the external device being identified by a device-specific identifier transmitted to one of a bus manager and a network manager, wherein one of the device-specific identifier and a data record allocated to the device-specific identifier contains information regarding a class membership of the external device, wherein the information includes at least one of: a manufacturer identifier that identifies a manufacturer of the external device, a model identifier that identifies a model of the external device, or a serial number of the external device; authenticating the external device on the basis of a digital key; and after the authenticating, granting the external device access to the element of the one of the bus system and the network in accordance with the class membership, wherein a scope of the access to the element varies depending on the class membership of the external device.