The Importance of Disabling OneDrive Sync in SharePoint Libraries for Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

In today’s digital-first workplace, organizations of all sizes must prioritize data security. SharePoint, one of the most popular collaboration tools, offers a robust platform for teams to share and manage documents. However, integrating SharePoint with OneDrive can introduce risks, especially concerning data loss prevention (DLP), if not managed properly.

The OneDrive sync button, which allows users to sync SharePoint libraries with their local devices, presents a particular risk. Although convenient, it also creates significant security challenges. Disabling the sync button in SharePoint libraries plays a key role in enhancing your organization’s DLP strategy. Let’s explore why.

Understanding Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) involves using strategies and tools to ensure sensitive information stays within the organization’s control. It protects intellectual property, financial data, personally identifiable information (PII), and other data subject to compliance regulations.

DLP solutions monitor how users access, share, and transfer information. When integrated with systems like SharePoint and OneDrive, these solutions can detect and block unauthorized attempts to share or download sensitive data.

The Risks of Enabling OneDrive Sync

When you enable the OneDrive sync button, users can download entire SharePoint libraries or folders onto their local devices. While this offers offline access, it also introduces several risks:

1. Data Leakage

Once users sync data to a local device, it leaves the controlled SharePoint environment. Sensitive documents that fall under DLP policies in SharePoint can now be accessed or shared from personal devices, often without proper encryption or monitoring.

2. Unsecured Devices

Organizations have little control over the security of users’ personal devices, particularly in a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) setting. If a device containing synced files is lost or stolen, unauthorized parties could gain access to that data.

3. Unauthorized Sharing

Storing documents locally allows users to bypass DLP controls and share files via unsecured channels, such as personal emails or unauthorized cloud storage platforms. This circumvents the protections that SharePoint typically enforces to prevent accidental or intentional data leaks.

4. Version Control Issues

SharePoint’s environment ensures users work on the latest file versions through its version control features. Syncing files offline with OneDrive, however, increases the chances that users will work on outdated versions, which can lead to confusion, errors, or sharing old and potentially sensitive information.

Disable the sync button at the tenant level

You can run the following Powershell script to disable the sync button at the tenant level:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

Install-Module -Name Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell
Get-Module -Name Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell -ListAvailable | Select Name,Version

Connect-SPOService -url https://YourTenant-admin.sharepoint.com 
Set-SPOTenant -HideSyncButtonOnTeamSite:$true