Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for securing a virtual environment and virtual machines in the virtual environment is provided. A credential authority server is provided for managing environment credentials of the virtual environment. A virtual machine shim is associated with each of the virtual machines, and one or more hypervisor shims are associated with one or more hypervisors. The credential authority server provides, on request, environment credentials to each of the virtual machines and the hypervisors on authorization of each of the virtual machines and the hypervisors. Each virtual machine shim associated with each of the virtual machines communicates the provided environment credentials to the hypervisor shims for validation. The hypervisors associated with the hypervisor shims validate each of the virtual machines associated with each virtual machine shim based on the communicated environment credentials to allow instantiation of each of the virtual machines in the virtual environment.