What method helps maintain a virtual machine's security baseline and does not require an agent?

Virtual Machine Introspection is a method that provides comprehensive visibility into the virtual environment without needing an agent installed within the guest operating system. It allows for the analysis and monitoring of virtual machines at a lower level, typically through the hypervisor, which can access the memory and state of the virtual machine. This level of access enables the detection of malicious activity and vulnerability assessments, thus helping maintain the security baseline of the virtual machine.

Additionally, since it operates via the hypervisor, it reduces the risk associated with traditional agent-based security solutions, which can sometimes be disabled or bypassed by attackers. This approach is particularly valuable in dynamic environments, where ensuring the security of each virtual machine without adding additional software overhead is crucial for overall system integrity and performance.