A computer-implemented method of providing security for a software container, according to an example of the present disclosure includes, receiving a software container image with a software application and security agent that is separate from the software application. An execution entry point of the software container image that was previously configured to launch the software application has been modified to instead launch the security agent. The method includes receiving a request to instantiate the software container image as a software container, launching the security agent based on the request, authenticating the contents of the software container image, and controlling operation of the software application based on the authenticating.