Get clarity on backup, recovery and server lifecycle risk

On site servers and storage are easy to overlook until something fails. When a server drops, a backup does not restore, or equipment reaches end of life, the impact is immediate for admin, safeguarding information, and day to day operations.

Backup confidence is not universal. 23% of primary IT leads said they do not know how many backup copies their school keeps. The DfE standard sets clear expectations for resilience, backup and recovery, security and suitable environments for equipment.

Computeam Compass gives you a structured way to understand how your servers and storage compare to the DfE standard, assign actions, and maintain a clear record of decisions and improvements.

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23% of primary IT leads do not know how many backup copies their school keeps.

Source: Technology in schools survey: 2024 to 2025 – Research report (Department for Education, carried out by IFF Research, published Nov 2025)

Turn the servers and storage standard into a simple checklist

The DfE servers and storage standard sets expectations for how schools and colleges manage their on-site infrastructure. It focuses on resilience, backup and restore, security, lifecycle management and the physical environment in which equipment is housed.

The guidance recognises that many schools are reducing their reliance on local servers as they move to cloud services. At the same time, it accepts that some systems and data will remain on-site for the foreseeable future. The standard is designed to help schools manage that infrastructure safely and efficiently, while planning a sensible route towards more cloud-based solutions where appropriate.

At a glance, this standard covers:

Designing resilient server and storage setups that can tolerate faults

Putting reliable backup and recovery processes in place and testing them regularly

Managing security in line with data protection legislation and cyber security guidance

Locating servers in suitable, secure environments with appropriate power and cooling

Planning lifecycle, energy use and eventual decommissioning of equipment

Reduce downtime risk and protect sensitive data

If key systems become unavailable, schools feel the impact immediately. Local servers often run the MIS, file storage, print management, identity services and other core tools. A failure can disrupt lesson delivery, attendance tracking, safeguarding records and communication with families. The servers and storage standard encourages schools to think carefully about resilience and recovery so that an unforeseen issue does not result in extended downtime.

Security and data protection are equally important. Servers typically hold large volumes of personal and sensitive information. If patching is inconsistent, access controls are weak or backups are not properly protected, the risk of a serious data incident increases. The DfE standard sits alongside wider cyber security guidance and helps schools treat servers and storage as part of a joined-up approach to safeguarding data.

There is also a strategic and financial dimension. Maintaining ageing on-site infrastructure can be costly and energy-intensive. Understanding what you run locally, what could move to the cloud and where systems are nearing end-of-life supports better planning. For multi-academy trusts, a clear view of server and storage arrangements across sites helps with standardisation, risk management and budget setting.

How Compass keeps backup, recovery and resilience on track

Computeam Compass turns the DfE servers and storage standard into a clear, manageable framework for school and trust leaders. It helps you step back from individual configuration details and see the wider picture of risk, resilience and compliance.

Make the expectations visible

Compass presents the key requirements for servers and storage in a structured format that follows the DfE guidance. Schools can record which systems are hosted locally, how resilience is provided, what backup arrangements exist and how security is managed. This creates a shared overview that SLT, IT staff and governors can understand without needing to work through technical documentation.

Assign ownership and track actions

When gaps are identified – for example, untested backups, ageing hardware or unclear access controls – Compass allows you to create actions with named owners and realistic deadlines. Tasks might include planning a migration to cloud services, scheduling backup restore tests or reviewing server room security. Progress is visible to the relevant teams, which helps keep infrastructure improvements aligned with wider school or trust priorities.

Keep a secure, auditable record

Compass provides a secure place to store server and storage-related evidence and decisions. You can log architecture summaries, backup schedules, test reports, risk assessments, incident reviews and lifecycle plans. Each entry is time-stamped so you can show how your approach has developed over time and how you respond to emerging risks.

Give MAT leaders a trust-wide view

For multi-academy trusts, Compass consolidates information about servers and storage across schools. Central IT and operations teams can see where on-site infrastructure remains, how resilient it is and where cloud adoption is already in progress. That insight supports coordinated planning, targeted support for higher-risk sites and more effective use of budgets.

Your next steps

If you are reviewing your servers and storage against the DfE standard, Computeam Compass can provide structure and shared visibility. It helps you capture what is in place now, identify areas where resilience or security needs attention and record the actions you are taking to improve reliability and compliance.