CP-7: Alternate Processing Site
Control Family:
Threats Addressed:
Previous Version:
- NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 4:
- CP-7: Alternate Processing Site
Control Statement
- Establish an alternate processing site, including necessary agreements to permit the transfer and resumption of [Assignment: organization-defined system operations] for essential mission and business functions within [Assignment: organization-defined time period consistent with recovery time and recovery point objectives] when the primary processing capabilities are unavailable;
- Make available at the alternate processing site, the equipment and supplies required to transfer and resume operations or put contracts in place to support delivery to the site within the organization-defined time period for transfer and resumption; and
- Provide controls at the alternate processing site that are equivalent to those at the primary site.
Supplemental Guidance
Alternate processing sites are geographically distinct from primary processing sites and provide processing capability if the primary processing site is not available. The alternate processing capability may be addressed using a physical processing site or other alternatives, such as failover to a cloud-based service provider or other internally or externally provided processing service. Geographically distributed architectures that support contingency requirements may also be considered alternate processing sites. Controls that are covered by alternate processing site agreements include the environmental conditions at alternate sites, access rules, physical and environmental protection requirements, and the coordination for the transfer and assignment of personnel. Requirements are allocated to alternate processing sites that reflect the requirements in contingency plans to maintain essential mission and business functions despite disruption, compromise, or failure in organizational systems.
Control Enhancements
CP-7(1): Separation from Primary Site
Baseline(s):
- Moderate
- High
Identify an alternate processing site that is sufficiently separated from the primary processing site to reduce susceptibility to the same threats.
CP-7(2): Accessibility
Baseline(s):
- Moderate
- High
Identify potential accessibility problems to alternate processing sites in the event of an area-wide disruption or disaster and outlines explicit mitigation actions.
CP-7(3): Priority of Service
Baseline(s):
- Moderate
- High
Develop alternate processing site agreements that contain priority-of-service provisions in accordance with availability requirements (including recovery time objectives).
CP-7(4): Preparation for Use
Baseline(s):
- High
Prepare the alternate processing site so that the site can serve as the operational site supporting essential mission and business functions.
CP-7(6): Inability to Return to Primary Site
Baseline(s):
Plan and prepare for circumstances that preclude returning to the primary processing site.