A lighting control system includes a plurality of lighting system elements that are connected together over at least one lighting control network. The lighting system elements include a network controller, a luminaire, or a lighting control device. Some of the lighting system elements are designated as client lighting devices. At least one of the lighting system elements is designated as a lighting control data synchronization master. The lighting control system allows for changes in lighting control setting data, without sacrificing performance and maintaining stability with network failures, by generation and utilization of lighting control data keys. For example, data synchronization replicates or transfers lighting control setting data when a state change in a lighting control setting is detected based on a comparison of a current lighting control data key with an original lighting control data key.