This support may be provided only where necessary to prevent or investigate activities directed against the security of information technology or activities carried out using information technology. The Federal Office shall keep a record of requests for support; 14. advising and warning federal and Länder bodies as well as producers, distributors and users with regard to the security of information technology, keeping in mind the possible consequences of the lack of security precautions or of inadequate security precautions; 15. creating appropriate communications structures to recognize crises at an early stage, respond and manage crises and to coordinate efforts to protect critical information infrastructures in cooperation with private industry. (2) The Federal Office may assist the Länder in securing their information technology upon request. table of contents Section 4 Central clearinghouse for IT security (1) The Federal Office shall be the central clearinghouse for cooperation among federal authorities in matters related to the security of information technology. (2) To perform this task, the Federal Office shall 1. gather and evaluate all information necessary to prevent threats to IT security, especially information concerning security gaps, malware, successful or attempted attacks on IT security and the means used to carry out such attacks; 2. inform the federal authorities without delay about information as referred to in no. 1 concerning them and of the facts of the matter ascertained. (3) If other federal authorities become aware of information as referred to in subsection 2 no. 1 which is significant for carrying out tasks or for the IT security of other authorities, as of 1 January 2010 these federal authorities shall inform the Federal Office of this information without delay, unless prohibited by other provisions. (4) An exception to the reporting requirements under subsection 2 no. 2 and subsection 3 shall be made for information which may not be disclosed due to confidentiality regulations or agreements with third parties, and for information whose disclosure would conflict with the constitutional status of a member of the German Bundestag or of a constitutional body, or with the legally mandated autonomy of individual bodies. (5) The provisions regarding the protection of personal data shall remain unaffected. (6) With the approval of the Council of Chief Information Officers of the federal ministries, the Federal Ministry of the Interior shall issue general administrative regulations for carrying out subsection 3. table of contents 4/10