Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a standard internet protocol that encrypts email for privacy and secure delivery. TLS prevents unauthorized access of email when it's in transit over internet connections. Google Workspace previously encrypted email with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), but now uses TLS for encryption.
TLS and SSL are often both referred to as SSL. TLS is an updated, more secure version of SSL. Settings in your Google Admin console that mention SSL now use TLS.
Google Workspace supports TLS versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3.
Set up TLS
By default, Gmail always tries to connect with TLS when sending email. Secure TLS connections require that both the sender and recipient use TLS. If the receiving server doesn't use TLS, Gmail will deliver email, but the connection isn't encrypted with TLS.
We recommend you set up TLS to require Gmail to use secure connections for mail sent to and from specified domains and email addresses.
SSL overview
SSL is a standard internet protocol for servers and browsers. SSL creates encrypted connections, which ensures that data transmitted between these systems is secure and private.