TL;DR
Both Notion and Linear offer SOC 2 Type II compliance and enterprise security features. Notion is a flexible workspace with extensive sharing options that require careful management. Linear is focused on issue tracking with simpler, more restrictive defaults. Notion needs more security configuration; Linear has tighter defaults. Both are suitable for teams with security requirements.
Notion and Linear serve different purposes: Notion is a flexible workspace for docs and databases; Linear is a focused issue tracker. Both have invested in security features, but their different use cases mean different security considerations. Understanding these helps you configure them securely for your development team.
Security Feature Comparison
| Security Feature | Notion | Linear |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 2 Type II | Yes | Yes |
| SSO/SAML | Business/Enterprise | Business/Enterprise |
| SCIM Provisioning | Enterprise | Enterprise |
| 2FA | Yes | Yes |
| Audit Logs | Enterprise | Business+ |
| Data Export | Yes | Yes |
| Public Sharing | Extensive options | Limited |
| Guest Access | Flexible | Controlled |
Access Control
Notion Sharing Complexity
Notion's flexibility is both a feature and a risk. Pages can be shared publicly, with guests, with workspace members, or kept private. It's easy to accidentally expose sensitive information with the wrong sharing settings. Teams need clear policies and regular audits of public pages.
Linear's Simpler Model
Linear has a more restrictive sharing model. Issues are visible to workspace members by default. Public access is limited. This simplicity reduces accidental exposure risks. There's less to configure but also less flexibility for external collaboration.
Data Protection
Notion Data Handling
Notion encrypts data at rest and in transit. Enterprise customers can configure data residency. Notion processes data to enable features like AI, which may be a concern for sensitive information. Review Notion's AI data policies if using AI features.
Linear Data Handling
Linear encrypts data at rest and in transit. As a focused tool, there's less data processing beyond core features. Linear's smaller surface area means fewer data handling concerns. Both tools are hosted on major cloud providers with strong infrastructure security.
Choose Notion When: You need a flexible workspace for documentation, wikis, and databases. Notion's power requires careful security configuration. Best for teams that need rich documentation alongside project tracking and will invest time in proper access controls.
Choose Linear When: You need focused issue tracking with simpler security management. Linear's restricted model reduces configuration risk. Best for development teams wanting fast, secure issue tracking without complex sharing scenarios.
Integration Security
Notion Integrations
Notion has many integrations and a public API. Integrations have varying access levels. Review OAuth scopes when connecting third-party apps. The API allows programmatic access to workspace data. Control who can add integrations to limit exposure.
Linear Integrations
Linear integrates with developer tools (GitHub, GitLab, Slack). Integrations are focused on development workflows. The API provides access to issues and projects. Fewer integration options means a smaller attack surface than Notion's broad ecosystem.
Best Practices
- Enable SSO when available for centralized access control
- Regularly audit public/shared content (especially Notion)
- Review and limit integration permissions
- Use groups for permission management
- Enable audit logs and review periodically
- Train team on sharing settings and risks
Is Notion secure for sensitive documentation?
Notion can be secure with proper configuration. Use private pages, limit public sharing, enable SSO, and audit regularly. The risk isn't Notion's security infrastructure but the ease of accidentally sharing sensitive content.
Can I use both Notion and Linear?
Yes, many teams use Linear for issue tracking and Notion for documentation. They integrate with each other. Use Linear for structured development work and Notion for flexible documentation, configuring security appropriately for each.
Which has better audit logging?
Both provide audit logs on higher tiers. Linear's simpler model means clearer audit trails. Notion's flexibility means more events to audit. For compliance needs, both provide adequate audit capabilities on business/enterprise plans.
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