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Home Publications Cyber, Intelligence, and Security Four Big “Ds” and a Little “r”: A New Model for Cyber Defense

Four Big “Ds” and a Little “r”: A New Model for Cyber Defense

Cyber, Intelligence, and Security, Volume 1, No. 1, June 2017

Matthew Cohen
Chuck Freilich
Gabi Siboni
Photo: Rob Engleaar / NAP/AFP

As with all emerging threats, the cyber realm represents new dangers, which will be difficult to address. This article argues that cyberthreats are not fundamentally different from other asymmetric threats, and it provides a conceptual model for developing a response by drawing on classic principles of military strategy, the “four Ds”— Detection, Deterrence, Defense, and Defeat—as well as resilience (the little “r”). We offer a model for how countries can create policies addressing each of these principles that will enhance the security of national cyber systems. The proposed framework will allow for the development of detailed strategies and plans to address the specific demands posed by cyberthreats, whether state-based, or by non-state actors, or individuals.


The opinions expressed in INSS publications are the authors’ alone.
Publication Series Cyber, Intelligence, and Security
TopicsAdvanced Technologies and National Security

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  • Research

    • Topics
      • Israel and the Global Powers
      • Israel-United States Relations
      • Glazer Israel-China Policy Center
      • Russia
      • Europe
      • Iran and the Shi'ite Axis
      • Iran
      • The Israel–Iran War
      • Lebanon and Hezbollah
      • Syria
      • Yemen and the Houthi Movement
      • Iraq and the Iraqi Shiite Militias
      • Conflict to Agreements
      • Israeli-Palestinian Relations
      • Hamas and the Gaza Strip
      • Peace Agreements and Normalization in the Middle East
      • Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States
      • Turkey
      • Egypt
      • Jordan
      • Israel’s National Security Policy
      • Military and Strategic Affairs
      • Societal Resilience and the Israeli Society
      • Jewish-Arab Relations in Israel
      • Climate, Infrastructure and Energy
      • Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict
      • Cross-Arena Research
      • Data Analytics Center
      • Law and National Security
      • Advanced Technologies and National Security
      • Cognitive Warfare
      • Economics and National Security
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      • Contemporary Antisemitism in the United States
      • Perceptions about Jews and Israel in the Arab-Muslim World and Their Impact on the West
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