FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN (2019) difference is that the Identify function and Deter element do not have exact complements in the two approaches. However, the differences do not introduce any incompatibility between these efforts. While this Plan identifies the need for R&D to develop effective countering techniques, such techniques are intended to provide defensive capabilities. R&D for offensive cyber operations is out of scope for this Plan. Figure 1 shows how the Plan’s four defensive elements aim to thwart malicious cyber activities and campaigns and the value of continuous outcomes-driven improvements in efficacy and efficiency. Figure 1. Continuously strengthening the four interrelated defensive elements improves success in thwarting malicious cyber activities overall. –5–