As the manhunt continues for two convicted killers who made a daring escape from a New York state prison, officers watching over the Canada-U.S. border say they have all the tools necessary to keep criminals from crossing over.

David Sweat and Richard Matt broke out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemore, N.Y., last Saturday, which is just over 30 kilometres from Quebec's border.

The pair's whereabouts are unknown and the search has expanded to include Vermont.

Despite taking less than 60 seconds on average to conduct an inspection at the border, agents are confident in their ability to keep the border safe.

"We have a clear focus on preventing terrorists and weapons of mass effects from entering our nations," Mark MacVittie, a member of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service, told CTV News.

Agents have an array of tools at their disposal, including radiation scanners, X-ray machines, and drug- and weapon-sniffing dogs.

Officers say their experience and training also helps them pick up criminal activity, despite difficult odds.

"They only have to be right once to get through, whereas we have to be right every time," said Aaron Bowker, a member of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service.

For years, Canadian and U.S. border agencies chose to, for the most part, work separately, but since the Sept. 11 terror attacks they have teamed up.

"We have discovered the criminals are also sharing intelligence, so why wouldn't we," said Dean Mandel, a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

Despite all of their tools and training, CBSA officials admit travellers coming into Canada aren't being fully screened.

Canadian border guards do not have access to the Canadian Police Information Centre database, which contains criminal records, arrest warrants and other security information.

Their counterparts to the south, however, do have access.

Officials for the CBSA say the organization is "looking at" obtaining access to the database, which they call a "useful tool."

With a report from CTV’s Peter Ackman at the Canada-U.S. Lewiston Border Crossing