Patent attributes
Various systems, methods, and processes to protect virtual machine data in a cloud environment are disclosed. A request for requested data is received at an encryption virtual machine. The requested data is encrypted, and the encryption virtual machine is configured to receive the request from an application virtual machine via a loader. The requested data includes one or more operating system modules, and the operating system modules are configured to be used by the application virtual machine. The requested data is accessed in a storage volume, which is communicatively coupled to the encryption virtual machine. The requested data is then retrieved from the storage volume and decrypted at the encryption virtual machine. The decrypted data is then sent to the loader.