Which of the following backup sites takes the longest recovery time?
A.
Cold site
B.
Hot site
C.
Warm site
D.
Mobile backup site
Explanation:
A cold backup site takes the longest recovery time. It is the most inexpensive type of backup site for
an organization to operate. It does not include backed up copies of data and information from the
original location of the organization, nor does it include hardware already set up. The lack of
hardware contributes to the minimal startup costs of the cold site, but requires additional time
following the disaster to have the operation running at a capacity close to that prior to the disaster.
Answer option B is incorrect. A hot site is a duplicate of the original site of the organization, with full
computer systems as well as near-complete backups of user data. Real time synchronization
between the two sites may be used to completely mirror the data environment of the original site
using wide area network links and specialized software. Ideally, a hot site will be up and running
within a matter of hours or even less.
Answer option D is incorrect. Although a mobile backup site provides rapid recovery, it does not
provide full recovery in time. Hence, a hot site takes the shortest recovery time.
Answer option C is incorrect. A warm site is, quite logically, a compromise between hot and cold.
These sites will have hardware and connectivity already established, though on a smaller scale than
the original production site or even a hot site. Warm sites will have backups on hand, but they may
not be complete and may be between several days and a week old. An example would be backup
tapes sent to the warm site by courier.