In terms of disaster recovery, what does a cold site typically lack?

A cold site is a type of disaster recovery environment that provides the basic physical infrastructure necessary for resuming operations after a disaster but does not include the necessary computer or communications equipment. This means that while a cold site has the space, power, and cooling arrangements, it does not come equipped with the hardware or software required to process data or conduct business operations.

Organizations that utilize a cold site often face delays in recovery because they need to procure, set up, and configure the computing resources after a disaster strikes. The absence of computer equipment signifies that businesses will have to invest time and resources in rebuilding their operational capabilities from essentially zero, presenting a significant challenge to time-sensitive operations.

In contrast, a warm site usually has some equipment in place, and a hot site is fully equipped to take over operations immediately. Other components mentioned in the incorrect options—basic building infrastructure, electrical wiring, and access controls—would typically be present in a cold site to support physical security and the initial operation, but the key characteristic that distinguishes a cold site is its lack of the necessary technology resources.