The document discusses various cryptographic techniques for encrypting messages. It begins by defining key terminology used in cryptography. It then explains the basic principles of conventional encryption, which uses a secret key shared between the sender and receiver. The document outlines different types of cryptanalytic attacks and describes brute force search attacks. It classifies cryptographic techniques based on the type of operations used, number of keys, and how plaintext is processed. Finally, it provides examples of specific symmetric encryption techniques like the Caesar cipher, Playfair cipher, Vigenère cipher, one-time pad cipher, and transposition ciphers like the rail fence cipher and row transposition cipher.