Dive Brief:

• Google is introducing "Confidential Mode" for Gmail users, which prohibits forwarding, copying, downloading or printing specific emails, reports The Verge.

• The change will allow Gmail users to require authentication to open certain emails, which will be done through SMS. Expiration dates will also be available on emails.

• The move is all part of Google's plans to launch a redesigned version of its email platform, according to The Verge. This redesign includes a feature called Smart Reply, a snoozing ability and offline support. There is no set time for the release, but an update is expected in the coming weeks.

Dive Insight:

Overhauling Gmail addresses the concerns of companies regarding the email habits of their employees. In an effort to take control of how information is shared internally, companies will be sure to benefit from the new features. However, there are still shortcomings when it comes to email management and security.

Of all the the different enterprise communication and collaboration platforms, email still reigns supreme and is preferred by 94% of employees. This is in large part due to employees' established trust with the technology.

The communication platform market is heating up and chat platforms are becoming more commonplace in the enterprise, but employees are still annoyed by some of those platforms' features or the pressure they feel to immediately respond to a coworker's message.

Email, on the other hand, offers a sense of security, and with the new features Google is rolling out, the company may be able to lure more enterprise clients to the G Suite. 

This isn't the first time Google has launched email features for added security. In October the company revealed its Advanced Protection Program for more "high risk" or privileged Gmail users.

But even if an email provider implements features to protect against nefarious or even accidentally ignorant actions online, employees can still risk revealing company data.