What describes the probable level of force that a threat agent can apply against an asset?

The concept of threat capability is central to understanding how a threat agent can affect an asset. It refers specifically to the inherent ability or potential of a threat actor—such as a hacker, a natural disaster, or an insider threat—to cause harm or exert force against a target. This may involve their technical skills, resources at their disposal, levels of sophistication, and methodologies they are likely to employ in their attacks.

When evaluating potential threats, assessing the capability allows organizations to estimate the kind of impact these threats could have on their assets—an important part of risk management. For instance, a highly skilled cybercriminal may have the capability to execute complex attacks, whereas a less competent individual may have very limited impact.

In the context of the other options, resistance strength refers to how well an asset can withstand or repel attacks, vulnerability describes the weaknesses present within a system or asset that could be exploited by a threat agent, and loss magnitude relates to the potential impact of a successful attack, including the financial and reputational consequences. While all these factors are interrelated, threat capability specifically deals with the force a threat agent can potentially exert, which is why this option is the most appropriate choice.