We need to be as agile as enemies: PM

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says security authorities must be as agile as our enemies.

"We learn from every attack," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday in response to the deadly Manchester terrorist blasts.

Mr Turnbull overnight chaired a meeting of cabinet's national security committee that included the heads of the federal police, spy agencies ASIO and ASIS and the defence force.