Google is attempting to bolster email security for its business customers with the introduction of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) capabilities in Gmail for Work.

Google for Work’s apps already boast a bunch of IT security capabilities, including two-factor authentication, audit reports, data encryption and mobile device management. But the company says DLP is an added layer of protection that’s aimed at preventing sensitive data from being leaked or otherwise accidentally made available to those who shouldn’t have access.

According to Suzanne Frey, Google App’s director of security, trust and privacy, DLP is about more than just keeping sensitive data safe from hackers. It’s about ensuring such data is protected even when employees accidentally hit the “Reply All” button when sending an email.

“Gmail DLP will automatically check all outgoing emails from the sales department and take action based on what the admin has specified: either quarantine the email for review, tell users to modify the information, or block the email from being sent and notify the sender,” Frey explained. “These checks don’t just apply to email text, but also to content inside common attachment types―such as documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. And admins can also create custom rules with keywords and regular expressions.”

In addition, DPL also scans attachments to see what types of files are being sent. This should ensure employees cannot skirt around company policies by altering the file type, for example, from .xls to .doc.

The introduction of DPL brings Gmail for Work in line with Microsoft’s Exchange Server and Exchange Online products, as well as similar services from companies like Cisco Systems Ltd., which already offer the same kind of capabilities.

DLP for Gmail is available now for Google Apps Unlimited customers, which is the premier edition of Google’s cloud-based business tools. Google also said it’s planning to expand its DLP capabilities to Google Drive some time in the new year.