Alternative site for operational continuity

1. I would like to know what are the elements that should be considered when designing the layout of the alternative operational continuity site. 

Answer: Besides the information about the general layout of the chosen alternative site (e.g., single or multiple floors, total area, etc.), the elements to be considered will depend on the results of your Business Impact Assessment (BIA), i.e., the process and services that need to be recovered, and the minimum acceptable performance levels.

The information from BIA will give you an idea of how many personnel, furniture, and equipment you will need to have in the alternative operational continuity site, allowing you to design the layout considering the available space.

For further information, see:
- How to implement business impact analysis (BIA) according to ISO 22301 https://advisera.com/27001academy/knowledgebase/how-to-implement-business-impact-analysis-bia-according-to-iso-22301/
- Implementing Business Impact Analysis according to ISO 22301 [free webinar on demand] https://advisera.com/27001academy/webinar/implementing-business-impact-analysis-according-to-iso-22301-free-webinar-on-demand/
- Disaster recovery site – What is the ideal distance from primary site? https://advisera.com/27001academy/knowledgebase/disaster-recovery-site-what-is-the-ideal-distance-from-primary-site/

2. What type of office equipment should be installed at an alternative site for operational continuity?

Answer: This answer also depends on the results of BIA, i.e., the process and services that need to be recovered, and the minimum acceptable performance levels.

3. What do the good practices say regarding the layout design of the alternative site and equipment to be assembled?

Answer: Considering ISO 22301, the leading ISO standard for business continuity, there are no prescriptions about layout design of the alternative site and equipment to be assembled (the standard prescribes the performing of BIA to identify such information).

To provide a more detailed answer we would need information about which processes and services would be involved.

As a starting point, you can consider your current layout, adapting it considering the number of personnel required in the continuity site (e.g., if you need only half the personnel in the continuity site, use as a basis half the layout occupied by all personnel).

This article will provide you a further explanation about ISO 22301:
- What is ISO 22301 https://advisera.com/27001academy/what-is-iso-22301/

This material will also help you regarding ISO 22301:
- Book Becoming Resilient: The Definitive Guide to ISO 22301 Implementation https://advisera.com/books/becoming-resilient-the-definitive-guide-to-iso-22301-implementation/