What characteristic defines corporate email?

The characteristic that defines corporate email is that it is owned by the corporation. This means that the company has full rights over the email accounts, including the data stored within them, the communication that occurs through these accounts, and the management of access. Because the email is a corporate asset, it may be subject to monitoring and auditing to ensure compliance with company policies and regulations.

This ownership implies that any messages sent or received through a corporate email account are part of the company's records, and employees should not expect the same level of privacy that they might have with personal email accounts. It is crucial for employees to understand that using corporate email typically comes with certain responsibilities and guidelines that must be adhered to, as defined by the organization’s policies.