A method of protecting a network device (120, 122) coupled to a network within a data center, wherein the data center comprises a management switch having a rack management controller, and wherein the network device (120, 122) has a baseboard management controller and a basic input output system having a secure environment examination module, the method comprising: storing a credential file associated with the network device (120, 122); enabling power to the network device (120, 122); the rack management controller encrypting the credential file associated with the network device (120, 122); the rack management controller sending the encrypted credential file to the baseboard management controller of the network device (120, 122); the baseboard management controller decrypting the encrypted credential file; the baseboard management controller comparing the decrypted credential file with a static content file stored in a memory of the network device (120, 122); shutting down the power to the network device (120, 122) if the credential file does not match the static content file; the secure environment examination module gathering an IP address of the management switch and an IP address of the network device (120, 122) via a query to a network manager when power is enabled to the network device (120, 122); the secure environment examination module comparing the gathered IP addresses of the management switch and the IP address of the network device (120, 122) with a stored IP addresses of the management switch and a stored IP address of the network device (120, 122) in the static content file in the memory; and the basic input output system preventing an operating system of the network device (120, 122) from booting if the gathered IP addresses of the management switch and the IP address of the network device (120, 122) do not match with the stored IP addresses of the management switch and the stored IP address of the network device (120, 122). storing a credential file associated with the network device (120, 122); enabling power to the network device (120, 122); the rack management controller encrypting the credential file associated with the network device (120, 122); the rack management controller sending the encrypted credential file to the baseboard management controller of the network device (120, 122); the baseboard management controller decrypting the encrypted credential file; the baseboard management controller comparing the decrypted credential file with a static content file stored in a memory of the network device (120, 122); shutting down the power to the network device (120, 122) if the credential file does not match the static content file; the secure environment examination module gathering an IP address of the management switch and an IP address of the network device (120, 122) via a query to a network manager when power is enabled to the network device (120, 122); the secure environment examination module comparing the gathered IP addresses of the management switch and the IP address of the network device (120, 122) with a stored IP addresses of the management switch and a stored IP address of the network device (120, 122) in the static content file in the memory; and the basic input output system preventing an operating system of the network device (120, 122) from booting if the gathered IP addresses of the management switch and the IP address of the network device (120, 122) do not match with the stored IP addresses of the management switch and the stored IP address of the network device (120, 122).