Emails sent with Gmail’s end-to-end encryption are extremely secure because only the sender has control over the encryption key, which is stored outside of Google’s infrastructure. Users can click the padlock by the Bcc button and press Turn On under the Additional Encryption’ option to apply it.

Although the encryption is for business customers, regular consumers on both Gmail and non-Gmail accounts can receive the encrypted emails.

Sending encrypted emails today involves a nightmare of certificates and administrative headaches. Google says it's ready to make things easier.