Systems and methods for handling resources in a computer system differently in certain situations, such as catastrophic events, based upon an assigned layer of the resource to the system. The layer can be based, for example, on criticality of the resource to the system. Services or computing device resources can be physically segregated in accordance with layers, and can be managed in accordance with the segregation. As an example, critical layers can be fenced off or otherwise made not available except to users with secure clearance or authorization. In addition, a light or other indicator can be provided for indicating that a datacenter component is in a particular layer. The indicators can be at a device level, rack level, and/or room or area level.