New York state on Tuesday signaled it would step up its cybersecurity efforts amid the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine after receiving warnings from the White House that states could be the subject of attacks in the coming weeks. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul and mayors from the state's five largest cities in Brooklyn announced at a joint news conference the launching of the task force, as well as plans to spend $62 million on efforts to bolster safeguards against major attacks. 

At the same time, the state plans to hire 70 people for cybersecurity positions. 

"This will be the tip of the spear for our cybersecurity operations in the state," Hochul said.

The effort was announced the same day President Joe Biden unveiled a range of sanctions for Russia as it moves into Ukraine territory, which officials have called "an invasion" of the country. The concern is Russia or Russian-backed assets would launch retaliatory cyber attacks on financial institutions, utilities or hospitals in the United States. 

Hochul at the event in Brooklyn said New York's task force will be a model for other states who will likely contend with similar challenges. Local governments and school districts in recent years have been hit with ransomware attacks, with data held hostage by hackers in exchange for money. 

"Other areas should be dealing with the same sense of urgency that we are dealing with this," she said. 

New York officials are also urging individuals to be cautious with providing information online and use mutli-factor authentication before logging into sensitive websites.