What does Annualized Loss Expectancy (ALE) measure?

Annualized Loss Expectancy (ALE) is a key metric used in risk management to quantify the expected financial loss due to a specific risk or threat over a year. It is calculated by multiplying the Single Loss Expectancy (SLE), which represents the potential monetary loss from a single incident, by the Annualized Rate of Occurrence (ARO), the expected frequency of that incident occurring within a year.

The formula signifies that ALE provides an estimate of the expected loss from a risk over a given time period (usually one year), allowing organizations to prioritize their risk management strategies and allocate resources more effectively. By understanding the potential impact of different risks in monetary terms, businesses can make informed decisions on how to mitigate those risks.

The other options do not accurately describe what ALE measures. The total asset value at risk provides a broader view but does not focus on potential losses from specific incidents. Minimum expected downtime per year does not directly relate to financial losses but rather operational impact, and the frequency of incidents over several years is part of understanding the ARO but is not the measurement of ALE itself.