What is one of the risks associated with having redundant assets?

Redundant assets, while providing backup and reliability, come with specific risks. One notable risk is the potential for secondary damage that might occur while the redundant assets are idle. When these assets are not operational, there is a risk that they can deteriorate or be affected by environmental factors, mechanical issues, or even mismanagement. This can lead to unforeseen complications when the assets are later needed but are found to be in a compromised state.

For example, if a redundant asset is not maintained, it may develop rust or experience wear and tear, which could result in failures when it is finally activated. Therefore, the presence of idle redundant assets necessitates ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure they remain reliable, adding complexity and risk to asset management.

In contrast, while increased maintenance costs, insufficient switching infrastructure, and higher training costs for staff may be considerations in the management of redundant assets, the highlighted risk of secondary damage focuses directly on the condition and readiness of the assets when they are required for use.