ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is taking steps to ensure its elections infrastructure is protected from cyberattacks by foreign hackers.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that an initiative with the state Board of Elections will help county elections boards strengthen their cyber security measures. The Democrat says the state will soon solicit contracts for services that conduct cyber-security risk assessments and provide enhanced intrusion detection devices and managed security.

The state's efforts come in the wake of the U.S. Department of Justice's indictment of 12 Russian operatives accused of hacking during the 2016 election.

Russian attempts to meddle in the election prompted Cuomo to order a review of election cyber security vulnerabilities across the state.

The current state budget includes $5 million to expand and support the state's election cyber security infrastructure.

More From WIBX 950