diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index b24d71e..1a2f934 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -48,3 +48,4 @@ Thumbs.db
 *.mov
 *.wmv
 
+.env
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/arista-vlan-sync.py b/arista-vlan-sync.py
index 54c9190..3f7f88d 100644
--- a/arista-vlan-sync.py
+++ b/arista-vlan-sync.py
@@ -4,28 +4,35 @@
 Script to sync arista vlan from a primary to secondary switches
 '''
 
+import os
 import re
 import paramiko
 import time
 
+# environment stuff
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+from pathlib import Path  # python3 only
+env_path = Path('.') / '.env'
+load_dotenv(dotenv_path=env_path)
+
 # Define master switch details
 MASTER_SWITCH = {
     "ip": "23.169.120.2",
-    "username": "sbutler",
-    "password": "tori1806"
+    "username": os.getenv("SSHUSER"),
+    "password": os.getenv("SSHPASS")
 }
 
 # Define list of switches to sync with (with parameters)
 SWITCHES = [
     {
         "ip": "23.169.120.3",
-        "username": "sbutler",
-        "password": "tori1806"
+        "username": os.getenv("SSHUSER"),
+        "password": os.getenv("SSHPASS")
     },
     {
         "ip": "23.169.120.4",
-        "username": "sbutler",
-        "password": "tori1806"
+        "username": os.getenv("SSHUSER"),
+        "password": os.getenv("SSHPASS")
     },
 ]
 
@@ -34,6 +41,7 @@ SWITCHES = [
 PROTECTED_VLANS = ("1")
 
 def sync_vlans(master_switch, switch):
+
     # Establish SSH connection to master switch
     master_client = paramiko.SSHClient()
     master_client.set_missing_host_key_policy(paramiko.AutoAddPolicy())