What characteristic distinguishes shared hot sites from dedicated hot sites?

The characteristic that distinguishes shared hot sites from dedicated hot sites is their use by multiple organizations. A shared hot site provides a recovery environment that can be utilized by several different entities, meaning that the physical infrastructure and resources are not exclusive to any single organization. This allows organizations to share the costs associated with maintaining a hot site, making it a more economically viable option for those who do not require a dedicated facility for their disaster recovery needs.

In contrast, dedicated hot sites are specifically allocated for one organization only, offering them exclusive ownership of the space and resources. This exclusivity can often result in higher costs and may involve more tailored solutions specific to the needs of that single entity. The shared approach allows for flexibility and cost efficiency, which can be significant advantages for businesses that do not have extensive disaster recovery budgets.

Faster recovery times and lower operational costs can be benefits of both shared and dedicated hot sites, but the fundamental distinguishing factor lies in the shared use of the infrastructure.