A method to provide secure operation of a lighting network, the lighting network comprising a lighting device arranged for illuminating an environment and a local controller for controlling the lighting device, wherein the lighting network is further controllable by an external controller, external to the lighting network, wherein the method comprises: determining a configuration status of the lighting network, analyzing the determined configuration status, switching an operational mode of the lighting network between a normal mode and a secured mode based on the analysis; wherein in the normal mode, the lighting network is operably connected to the external controller, and a light rendering function of the lighting device is being controlled by the external controller according to a predetermined set of functions, and wherein in the secured mode, the light rendering function of the lighting device is being controlled by the external controller according to a subset of the predetermined set of functions.