In this article, the authors presented a short historical overview of the visual monitoring systems’ development. Attention was also drawn to the features distinguishing the solutions within this group from other electronic systems. Further, the authors conducted a reliability analysis of selected, sample segments of a CCTV system, at the same out highlighting that such a system – considered globally – is distinguished by a mixed reliability structure. The authors suggested a reliability and operational model for a video surveillance system, which takes into account the impact of strong electromagnetic pulses on a fragment of its transmission channel and the mechanical properties of transmission media.