In response to concerns from citizens residing overseas, the Department of Defense announced today that access to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website at http://www.fvap.gov has been modified to further increase the number of internet service providers able to access the site. 

            “The department has taken prompt action to address the concerns of some U.S. citizens overseas regarding the protective measures on DoD networks that were limiting some internet access,” said Charles S. Abell, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. “It is always a challenge to balance access with the required security on department of defense systems.”

            DoD Web protection measures are necessary in order to protect the DoD network. While the changes will make the FVAP website accessible to most users, it does not automatically guarantee 100% access to the site.  There are many networks that make up the Internet, and some of these networks may employ independent protection mechanisms that prevent communication with the system.