Use VM Manager to automatically distribute and apply patches to YMs across your projects. Integrate VM Manager with hardened, organization-standard VM images stored in a central repository.

Configure the sole-tenancy feature in Compute Engine for all projects. Set up custom organization policies in Policy Controller to restrict the operating systems and image sources that teams are allowed to use.

Create a Cloud Build trigger to build a pipeline that generates hardened VM images. Run vulnerability scans in the pipeline, and store images with passing scans in a registry. Use instance templates pointing to this registry.

Activate Security Command Center Enterprise. Use VM discovery and posture management features to monitor hardening state and trigger automatic responses upon detection of issues.