Understanding and effectively monitoring Large Language Models (LLMs) is crucial for modern data professionals due to the transformative potential and inherent challenges of these AI tools. Key aspects of LLM monitoring include ensuring accuracy, speed, context relevance, and fairness, while also addressing risks such as prompt injection, data disclosure, and excessive autonomy. Monitoring involves real-time evaluation of performance metrics like response time and sentiment analysis, while also considering operational aspects like latency and throughput. The importance of monitoring lies in preventing security breaches, building user trust, and improving system performance. Best practices include using specialized tools like Lakera Guard for real-time blocking, implementing data sanitization, and maintaining human oversight. As the field of LLMs evolves, continuous learning and adaptation are essential to ensure secure, reliable, and effective AI systems.