What is a hot site in disaster recovery strategy?

A hot site in a disaster recovery strategy is a backup facility that is fully equipped and operational, allowing for rapid recovery and minimal data loss in the event of a disruption. It typically features live data replication, ensuring that the information available at the hot site is current and can be utilized immediately. This site mirrors the primary data center in real-time or near real-time, which significantly reduces downtime and ensures business continuity.

The emphasis on fast recovery makes the hot site a critical component of disaster recovery plans for organizations that cannot afford prolonged outages. This strategy contrasts with alternatives like cold sites, which may require more time and effort to become operational, thereby extending recovery time and increasing potential data loss.