Deploying CockroachDB in a production environment involves critical considerations related to security and monitoring to ensure a stable and secure deployment. CockroachDB offers two security modes, with the --insecure flag posing significant risks such as open access and lack of encryption or authentication, highlighting the importance of enabling secure mode to encrypt all communications via TLS. Authentication processes within CockroachDB include verifying client certificates and ensuring that node addresses are correctly listed in server certificates to prevent unauthorized access and impersonation. Monitoring is essential for identifying system issues before user complaints arise, with CockroachDB providing an Admin UI for high-level metrics and integration with Prometheus for alerting via various channels like email or Slack. The emphasis is placed on the necessity of secure mode and comprehensive monitoring as foundational steps in deploying CockroachDB securely in production.