Security in linux derives from minimalism. All other OSs have a bunch of software and services installed by default.
You can make a distro as minimal as possible and harden it as much as you can.
Minimalism also makes it easier for the user to grokk the whole system and better understand how to defend it. When you use a more "secure OS" you're essentially relying on a complex blackbox to protect you, it's "custodial" security.
Yes, linux security hinges on the fact that the user is expected to know what he's doing so that he does not shoot himself. That's a valid criticism but does not make it intrisicly insecure, just not noob-proof.