Which Cloud architecture model is best for Insurtech?

Adam Gaca, Head of Managed Services & CloudOps at Future Processing

It’s no surprise that insurers are quickly adopting Cloud solutions as part of their core technology platforms, modifying legacy systems to make way for digitally advanced software. Global cloud infrastructure service spending increased to $57 billion in Q3 of 2022, bringing the industry total for the previous twelve months to $217 billion. There are numerous ways for insurers to use the Cloud to improve their business operations, particularly when it comes to deploying new applications or services, reducing time to market, and improving data storage and backup resilience.

The insurance industry was one of the first to embrace Cloud computing, with nearly 60% of companies utilising the technology in some capacity. There are several reasons for this, the most important of which is that it allows for greater agility and can handle large amounts of traffic, making it the ideal platform for insurers to scale their offerings during periods of high activity. The insurance industry is highly competitive and regulated, and companies must be able to respond quickly to changes in the market, making the Cloud the perfect solution. It can, furthermore, be used to connect Insurtech systems to third-party providers via APIs, giving them access to better functionalities and improving customer service with real-time responses.

Different Archetypes for Different Requirements

There is no doubt that Cloud computing has transformed the insurance industry, but the most important question for IT leaders in this space is: what Cloud architecture model is best for their business? They have three options for Cloud architecture: public, private, and hybrid, each with its own set of challenges and benefits. The best cloud architecture for a company is determined by several factors, including the type of data they are working with, their budget, and the level of control they require over the infrastructure. Companies must consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of Cloud architecture to determine which best meets their business requirements.

Public Cloud Architecture

The public Cloud has democratised technology, allowing businesses of all sizes to access the same level of innovation and scale as the largest corporations. A third-party service provider owns and manages this cloud infrastructure, and the resources are made available to the general public via the Internet. It provides lower upfront costs because resources are paid based on usage, elasticity, and scalability, allowing insurers to adjust resource usage as needed. Finally, it lowers IT costs as the service provider handles most of the infrastructure maintenance.

However, the public Cloud is not without its drawbacks. Limited upfront costs also mean limited control over the infrastructure and security. And with that comes the potential for privacy concerns, as data is stored in a third-party data centre. Public Cloud providers implement a variety of security measures to protect their customers’ data, but there is always a risk of data breaches, data loss, or unauthorised access. Ultimately, the greatest challenge comes with the possibility of service outages or disruptions due to shared infrastructure and dependence on internet connectivity.

Private Cloud Architecture

This is a Cloud infrastructure owned and managed by a single insurer, and the resources are only used by that organisation. Private Clouds enable faster and more flexible deployment of new applications, resources, and services than traditional IT infrastructure, while also providing greater control and security for sensitive data and applications. This means it’s an excellent Insurtech solution, as the industry has its own set of regulatory compliance. Furthermore, as long as it is well designed and maintained, it provides greater reliability than public networks.

Nevertheless, the advantages of a private solution entail much higher upfront costs as well as ongoing costs for infrastructure maintenance. Furthermore, the complexities of implementing this type of solution result in companies having limited scalability compared to a public Cloud. Finally, a private Cloud requires a team to manage, maintain, and adjust it as needed, which means insurers will need an in-house IT team with infrastructure expertise.

Hybrid Cloud Architecture

This Cloud infrastructure combines both public and private Cloud architectures, allowing insurers the flexibility to utilise both benefits. Beyond the obvious advantages of elasticity in a hybrid architecture, it also proved unprecedented scalability, depending on usage and workload requirements. What’s more, the hybrid Cloud delivers all the security and compliance needed to manage sensitive data in the insurance industry, while still providing flexibility.

However, with the integration of different solutions comes complexities. Integrating data between public and private Clouds can be challenging, as data may need to be migrated between different systems and formats, and data consistency and synchronisation must be ensured. Moreover, ensuring connectivity between public and private Clouds can be challenging, as different network architectures and protocols may be involved, and security and performance requirements must be addressed, especially in the insurance industry where most data is highly sensitive. Furthermore, as with any IT solution, there is a potential for security and data privacy issues if not properly managed.

Choosing The Right Tech

Cloud computing can provide greater agility and scalability while also handling high volumes of traffic, making it an ideal platform for insurers. But choosing a solution necessitates a thorough understanding of an organisation’s goals, processes, and challenges and an in-depth understanding of the capabilities and limitations of available technologies. The key to selecting the right Cloud type for insurers is to concentrate on solving specific business problems and identifying the technology that best addresses those problems.

Each of the three Cloud architectures has its own set of challenges and benefits, and insurers must weigh the pros and cons of each to determine which one best meets their needs. Choosing the right Cloud architecture model is critical to success in the insurance industry, whether a company is looking for lower upfront costs, greater control over infrastructure and security, or the flexibility to leverage the benefits of both public and private Clouds.