Overview
The SEQTA Cloud Database Backup Service provides cloud-hosted SEQTA schools with secure access to their SEQTA data without requiring direct database connectivity.
This service has been introduced to replace direct database access, reducing security risks while continuing to support schools' reporting, analytics, and integration requirements.
Using this service, authorised school administrators can enable automated daily database backups and retrieve backup files for use in their own reporting platforms, data warehouses, business intelligence tools, and custom integrations.
Benefits
The Database Backup Service enables schools to:
- Access their SEQTA data outside of SEQTA and SEQTA Analyse.
- Continue performing advanced reporting and analytics.
- Support existing data-driven decision-making processes.
- Build or maintain custom integrations using exported data.
- Access a secure alternative to direct database connections.
- Receive automated daily backups with minimal administration.
How It Works
Once enabled:
- SEQTA generates a database backup once per day.
- The backup is automatically sanitised to remove excluded system and security-related data.
- Authorised school administrators can retrieve the backup file.
- Older backups are automatically removed according to the retention policy.
The backup schedule and frequency are managed by SEQTA and cannot be customised.
Included Data
Database backups contain school data required for reporting, analytics, and integration scenarios, including information related to:
- Student records
- Attendance
- Wellbeing
- Academic results
- Marks and grades
- Timetable-related data
- Other operational data stored within SEQTA
Excluded Data
To protect the security and integrity of the SEQTA platform, certain tables and data sets are excluded from backups.
Excluded data includes:
- User credential information
- Authentication-related data
- SEQTA system configuration tables
- Internal platform management data
- SEQTA user interface-specific data
- Other security-sensitive information determined by TES
These exclusions ensure schools receive access to relevant operational data while protecting platform security.
Enabling the Service
Prerequisites
- The school must be hosted on SEQTA Cloud.
- The administrator must have the required permissions within SEQTA.
- The school needs to contact Tes for us to enable the feature so the options are available for the school admin.
To Enable Database Backups
- Navigate to Administration Settings.
- Open Database Backup Settings.
- Enable Database Backups.
- Save the configuration.
Once enabled, the first backup will be generated during the next scheduled daily backup cycle.
Retrieving a Backup
Authorised administrators can:
- Use an API to initiate the backup download.
- Restore or import the backup into their own reporting or integration environment.
Note: Schools are responsible for downloading, storing, restoring, and managing backup files within their own infrastructure.
Backup Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Daily |
| Schedule | Managed by SEQTA |
| Compression | Applied where supported |
| Encryption | Always applied |
| Retention | Backups automatically deleted after the retention period |
| Custom Scheduling | Not available |
| Real-Time Access | Not available |
Common Use Cases
Reporting and Analytics
Schools can load backup data into:
- Microsoft Power BI
- Tableau
- SQL Server
- Data warehouses
- Custom reporting platforms
Custom Integrations
Schools that currently use or previously used direct database access can refactor integrations to consume data from the daily backup instead.
Examples include:
- Student wellbeing reporting
- Attendance analytics
- Executive dashboards
- Academic performance reporting
- Custom school applications
Important Considerations
Not a Real-Time Data Feed
The Database Backup Service is designed for daily data extraction and reporting.
It is not intended for use cases that require near real-time access to information such as student attendance status throughout the school day.
School Responsibilities
Schools remain responsible for:
- Downloading backup files
- Restoring data into local databases or reporting platforms
- Managing backup security once downloaded
- Maintaining any custom integrations that consume the backup data
Security Recommendations
To protect student and school data:
- Store backups in secure environments.
- Restrict access to authorised personnel only.
- Avoid storing backups on personal devices where possible.
- Follow your school's data governance and privacy policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this replace direct database access?
Yes. The Database Backup Service is the strategic replacement for direct database access for cloud-hosted SEQTA schools.
Will SEQTA Analyse be affected?
No. SEQTA Analyse remains available and continues to operate independently of the Database Backup Service.
What if we have custom integrations?
Most integrations can be adapted with only minor changes to consume data from the backup rather than connecting directly to a live database.
Can we change the backup time or frequency?
No. Backups are generated once per day on a managed schedule.
Can we access historical backups?
Backups are retained according to the configured retention policy. Older backups are automatically deleted.
Is all database data included?
No. Security-sensitive, system, authentication, and platform-specific tables are excluded from the backup.
Support
If you require assistance with enabling the Database Backup Service, accessing backups, or understanding included and excluded data sets, please contact the SEQTA Support Team through the standard support channels.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article