Security video monitoring applications help to visually assure that valuable assets are not eroded or destroyed by unauthorized users. Traditionally, security video monitoring was limited to on-site video monitors that security personnel viewed as either videotapes or as real-time images. The introduction of low-cost digital video cameras and data connections allow for the remote location of video cameras. When these cameras are connected through the Internet, they are called Web cameras (WebCams.)

At the end of 2000, there were already in excess of 100,000 public WebCams in operation throughout the world and private  video  monitoring  systems  have  millions  of  privately installed video cameras. Although many of these video cameras are connected by wire, some are connected by wireless links.
The key  applications  for  wireless  security  monitoring included  traffic  management (traffic  cams),  public  access monitoring (public  safety),  law  enforcement (cameras  on police cars), and other applications that require a camera at remote locations where wired connections are not practical or where mobility (video monitoring while moving) is important.

Using high-speed wireless systems, images from police cars can be monitored at a central facility. This may dramatically increase the safety for police officers. entertainment, a multibillion dollar industry, will benefit from broadband access. Consumers will be able to download private content to their wireless devices or wireless-enabled viewers.