linux version

[<hometeam () goeaston net>]

We are finally going to jump into the linux world (we’ve been using 
windows)  … Everything I read suggests linux for security based 
solutions.  My initial open-ende dquestion is …. Is there a preferable 
maker/version of linux that we should start with… Considerations include:

security strength
Hardware compatibility
Learning curve (important but not critical)
Ease of configuring
Software compatibility
Scalability

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice


Tim