A method and apparatus exclusively control a device in a home network. A control point requests exclusive control authority from the device. In response to the request the control point receives an identifier (RID) used to successfully authenticate the exclusive control authority. The control point then acquires the exclusive control authority and controls the device. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent other control points from interfering with the device so as not to perform an operation which is not desirable for the control point that acquires the exclusive control authority over the device.