This document provides information on network security fundamentals including cryptography and firewalls. It defines cryptography as a method of protecting information using codes that only intended recipients can read. It describes symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques. Symmetric encryption requires secure key distribution while asymmetric encryption uses public/private key pairs to securely exchange messages. The document also defines firewalls as devices that control network traffic flow according to security policies, and describes common firewall types including packet filters, stateful filters, and application gateways.