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Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing Featured General Insurance

As of today, over 44% of data from financial services organizations is stored in the cloud.

In one of our articles, we explored what cloud computing entails and its impact on the insurance industry. We also examined how certain insurance players like Lemonade and Allstate have leveraged cloud technology to enhance their operations.

However, the number of these early adopters remains limited due to various hurdles.

Cloud computing involves migrating all operations to the cloud, enabling communication, access, and resource sharing from anywhere at any time. For the insurance industry, it allows insurers, brokers, and agents to store, process, and access their data and applications on remote servers via the Internet. This is made possible by means of an internet connection and a subscription to hosting platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

Despite its benefits like cost efficiency, scalability and business continuity, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of cloud technology in the insurance sector.

Let’s delve into these challenges and suggest potential solutions:

 1. Legal and compliance issues

Ensuring compliance with federal regulations like the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as state laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), requires considerable effort and delicacy.

Failure to comply can subject insurers and cloud hosting providers to significant fines and penalties.

What makes matters worse is the fact that different jurisdictions have varying legal requirements, making it difficult to maintain compliance when operating in multiple regions, as is often the case with cloud computing.

Solution: Insurance companies should work closely with legal experts to understand the regulatory landscape and ensure that cloud providers comply with relevant laws. In addition, enforcing robust data governance frameworks like Zero Trust Architecture and regularly auditing compliance practices can help mitigate legal risks.

 2. Interoperability issues

Many companies in the insurance industry still rely on outdated legacy systems. These systems often lack the compatibility needed to integrate with current cloud solutions easily.

Migrating these legacy systems to the cloud requires careful planning, significant resources, and technical expertise making the process complex and time-consuming, as it involves replacing old software and ensuring data integrity and security throughout the transition.

Solution: Using standardized protocols and middleware solutions can make it easier to connect old systems with new cloud technologies. This can be complemented by working with experienced cloud migration partners to help fix compatibility problems and make the transition smoother. Google has Google Cloud, which has one of the widest global reaches with numerous data centers and servers all over the world.

Add to that, a phased migration approach can help manage the transition from legacy systems to the cloud. Starting with non-critical applications and gradually moving to more complex systems allows for testing and adjustments along the way.

 3. Skill gap

There is often a shortage of skilled professionals who are adept at managing cloud infrastructure. This skills gap can lead to increased training costs and operational inefficiencies.

Solution: Investing in training and development programs for existing employees can bridge the skills gap. Partnering with cloud service providers for training resources and certification programs can also enhance the organization’s cloud expertise.

 4. Data security and privacy

Cloud environments are prime targets for cyberattacks, which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. Additionally, there is a significant risk of data loss due to technical failures and human error.

Solution: Implementing strong encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits can enhance data protection. Insurance companies should also work closely with cloud providers to ensure they have stringent security measures in place.

Conclusion

While cloud computing offers significant advantages for the insurance industry, overcoming these challenges requires strategic planning and investment in terms of time, human and financial.

By addressing legal and compliance issues, ensuring interoperability, bridging the skill gap, enhancing data security, and carefully managing the migration of legacy systems, companies can fully harness the power of cloud technology to drive innovation and improve operational efficiency in the insurance space.

July 29, 2024
Cloud Computing Featured General Insurance

The insurance industry has always relied on data to perform its operations and sustain itself over the long term.

From underwriting data such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and vehicle information to claims data like accident details and investment data like financial forecasts, insurance is essentially a data-driven practice.

With the explosion of data in our increasingly connected world, the volume of information far exceeds human capacity to analyze it manually. Advanced technologies like big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence are poised to transform data into actionable insights that directly impact insurers’ decision-making. Quantum computing, however, will take this transformation to a new level, enabling organizations to process and analyze previously unimaginable amounts of data at unprecedented speeds.

By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics like superposition and entanglement, quantum computing offers computational power far beyond the capabilities of classical computers. This leap in technology promises to revolutionize the insurance industry, providing more accurate risk assessments, optimized investment strategies, and enhanced fraud detection capabilities.

What is quantum computing?

Quantum computing is a type of advanced computing that utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike classical computers, which use bits (binary values of 0 or 1), quantum computers use qubits. Qubits can exist in a superposition state. This allows them to simultaneously represent both 0 and 1. Additionally, qubits can be entangled, where the state of one qubit can instantly affect the state of another, regardless of the distance between them.

Classical computers process information sequentially, which can be time-consuming for complex calculations. In contrast, quantum computers leverage the unique properties of qubits to perform multiple calculations simultaneously. This ability to process information in parallel allows quantum computers to solve problems that classical computers currently cannot handle.

For example, in healthcare, quantum computing can optimize treatment plans and accelerate drug discovery by analyzing vast datasets at unprecedented speeds.

Application of quantum computing in insurance

Risk assessment & pricing

Quantum computing can enhance risk assessment and pricing models. With its ability to analyze large datasets and perform intricate calculations, quantum computing allows insurers to develop more accurate and precise actuarial models.

This leads to better alignment between premiums and actual risk profiles, resulting in more competitive insurance policies.

Investment optimization

Quantum computing can revolutionize investment strategies in the insurance industry. By processing vast amounts of data and performing complex optimizations, quantum computers can help insurers make more informed investment decisions, maximizing returns while minimizing risks. Monte Carlo simulations are used to model components of project cash flow, accounting for uncertainty.

Fraud detection & claims processing

Quantum computing can play a crucial role in fraud detection and claims processing.

Quantum algorithms can analyze large datasets in real time, identifying patterns indicative of fraud. This enhances the speed and accuracy of claims processing, reducing fraudulent claims and saving insurers significant amounts of money.

Decision making & data analysis

Quantum computing’s ability to handle and analyze large-scale datasets efficiently can transform decision-making processes.

Quantum machine learning algorithms extract meaningful insights from complex datasets, enabling insurers to make better-informed decisions. This leads to improved risk prediction, customer segmentation, and personalized insurance offerings.

Final thoughts

While quantum computing holds great promise in the insurance industry, its power also poses significant cybersecurity threats.

Quantum computers’ potential to break current encryption standards could compromise online security, leading to increased cyber insurance claims due to heightened vulnerabilities in data protection and business continuity. This necessitates a major review of cyber insurance policies and the adoption of quantum-resistant encryption practices.

Add to that, quantum computing’s ability to process vast amounts of data quickly raises concerns about data privacy and the ethical use of sensitive information.

To harness the potential of quantum computing in insurance, organizations must prepare by exploring its applications and implications.

July 3, 2024
Cloud Computing Featured General Insurance

Cloud computing is a game-changer in redefining business operations and consumer interactions as the insurance industry undergoes considerable transition due to digitalization and client demands.

This article examines cloud computing’s potential in the insurance industry, going over its innovations, drawbacks, and possible advantages for both policyholders and insurers.

Innovations fueled by cloud technology

Numerous advantages of cloud computing are drastically changing the insurance industry. The following are a few of the biggest innovations:

Improved agility & scalability

Because of the adaptability of cloud infrastructure, insurers can modify IT resources in response to urgent demands, which saves money and improves their capacity to manage spikes in activity.

Simplified processes

Insurance procedures are streamlined by cloud-based solutions, which lower operating costs and frees up staff for higher-value jobs including underwriting, processing claims, managing policies, and providing customer support.

Better analytics & data management

Large volumes of data may be securely and centrally stored via cloud storage, which gives insurers the ability to create customized products, spot fraud trends, assess risk profiles, and launch focused marketing efforts.

Customer experience without barriers

Because cloud technology makes it easier to access policies, file claims, and handle payments, it may be used to create easy-to-use online portals and mobile apps that increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Working together & inventing

Cloud platforms provide open, creative environments for the rapid testing and implementation of new ideas, enhancing collaboration both within insurance businesses and with external partners.

Uncovering possibilities for a more positive future

The short-term difficulties are outweighed by the long-term advantages. By adopting cloud computing, insurance companies can take advantage of numerous advantages:

Tailored insurance items

Using consumer data and analytics, insurers can develop customized insurance products that support usage-based insurance models, in which premiums are determined by real risk exposure or behavior.

Instantaneous risk evaluation

Through the analysis of immediate information from connected gadgets and sensors, cloud-based solutions allow insurers to continuously assess risk, improving their capacity to provide accurate rates and even offer discounts for responsible conduct.

Quicker processing of claims

Cloud-based claims management solutions facilitate shorter resolution times and higher levels of customer satisfaction by automating repetitive operations and encouraging cooperation between adjusters and policyholders.

Improved fraud identification

Algorithms powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning can swiftly spot patterns of fraudulent claims, lowering insurer losses and helping policyholders with cheaper premiums.

Integration of emerging technologies

Cloud computing enhances risk evaluation, claims processing, and client service by integrating blockchain and IoT technology into insurance products.

The impact

Cloud computing is being embraced by the insurance sector to foster creativity, effectiveness, and customer-centricity. Driven by agility, data-driven knowledge, and value generation, this offers policyholders a secure, adaptable experience as well as a competitive advantage.

 

April 25, 2024
Automation Cloud Computing Featured General Insurance

As society embraces the digital age, the surge in data usage presents challenges for companies to maintain their vital information, programs, and systems on in-house servers. However, the solution to this dilemma, which has persisted since the internet’s inception, has only recently gained widespread adoption.

In recent years, cloud computing has transitioned from being a strategic technology to an essential one. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of a “cloud-first” approach across various sectors, including financial services and insurance. 

While insurers were initially skeptical about cloud computing, they now recognize its value and actively integrate cloud solutions into their practices.

Cloud computing in insurance

According to a recent study by Gartner, 78% of insurance companies have adopted cloud technology in some form. 

Cloud computing involves the utilization of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data, as well as to deliver computing services specifically tailored to meet the needs of the insurance industry. 

This approach replaces traditional on-premises infrastructure with scalable, on-demand resources accessed through the internet. 

Benefits

Cost efficiency

Cloud computing eliminates the need for upfront investments in hardware and infrastructure, allowing businesses to pay for only the resources they use on a pay-as-you-go basis. 

Add to that, Insurance-as-a-Service has gained popularity nowadays, as traditional insurers have turned to insurtechs like LenderDock to leverage the cloud computing capabilities to adopt new insurance environments. 

This helps in reducing capital expenses and converting them into predictable and manageable operational expenses.

Scalability & flexibility

Insurance companies can easily scale with the help of cloud-based solutions. This flexibility ensures optimal resource allocation, preventing over-investment during slow periods and enabling efficient management of peak periods. 

Additionally, cloud services allow flexibility in insurance processes and accessibility of business data and applications from any location which fosters collaboration and remote work, enhancing productivity.

Disaster recovery & business continuity

Cloud providers offer robust data backup and disaster recovery solutions, ensuring secure data backup and accessibility in case of disasters or outages. This minimizes downtime and maintains continuity of operations.

 Unlike traditional recovery methods, which are often complex and time-consuming, cloud-based systems streamline recovery with automated backups and rapid data replication.

Greater innovation & insight

With data stored in the cloud, insurance companies can implement tracking mechanisms and generate customized reports for organization-wide analysis. 

Cloud infrastructure also empowers insurers to swiftly develop and launch new products and services, eliminating the need for lengthy IT setup times. 

This agility is crucial in a competitive landscape where the speed of bringing products to market is of utmost importance.

Taking the initiative 

The post-COVID era we are now in has seen insurance companies and other service providers accelerating the shift to cloud computing.

Lemonade

Originally based in Israel, the insurance unicorn opened an office in USA but has now shifted most of its core operations to the cloud, hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

Cloud computing, coupled with their AI-powered chatbot, Jim, has enhanced customer interactions.

Allstate

Allstate has leveraged Microsoft’s Azure AI platform to adopt cloud-based solutions. By employing AI-based virtual assistants and predictive analytics, the insurance company has improved claim processing, personalized service recommendations, and risk assessment practices.

To sum it up

Cloud computing doesn’t just mean moving to the cloud. 

As you have seen in earlier paragraphs, for the potential of cloud computing to be realized, complementary technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Analytics, and Machine Learning should be developed in tandem with the approach. 

April 16, 2024
Cloud Computing Featured General Security

According to At-Bay, Inc., more than one in four (31%) firms reported being unable to retrieve their data following a ransomware attack, even though 92% of organizations had backed up their data, whether it was on-site, offsite, or in the cloud.

In comparison to companies who successfully restore data, the average claims cost for corporations that fail to do so is $190,000.

The insurance company and surplus lines broker claim that a successful recovery of data after a ransomware attack can save a cyber incident’s total cost by up to 41 percent. Businesses that recover their data successfully are three times less likely to comply with a ransom demand.

Not many security professionals find data backups and the numerous solutions on the market particularly exciting. It’s important to note, though, that some backup plans may end up being far more successful than others. Making the correct decision can decrease the risk that a company will have to pay a ransom by up to three times.

After reviewing its claims data, At-Bay concluded that the cloud backup architecture provided the best chance for effective data restoration. Eighty percent of businesses that used cloud backups recovered.

The remarkable success rate of cloud technology

With an 80% effective recovery rate, cloud backup architecture outperforms offshore backup by a factor of 1.5. Moreover, ransomware was paid 2.5 times more frequently by those using offsite backups than by those using cloud backups.

Optimal approaches to develop an effective data backup strategy

The four suggestions that follow can improve any backup plan and help a company recover from a cyberattack.

1. Understand the interconnectedness of systems

It is not sufficient to just copy data elements and store them in one or two repositories; instead, it is essential to catalog and classify the ways in which the system functions. Data that has been carelessly dumped can cause the restoration process to lag while IT personnel try to figure out which apps use the data.

2. Implement robust password security measures

Organizations must take extra precautions to secure passwords and other login credentials for backup accounts since hackers may target these accounts. In order to achieve this, it is advised to create a different Active Directory account with a stronger password.

3. Acquire the required bandwidth

A quick internet connection is essential while recovering from the cloud. The repair process of a business might be severely hampered by slow speeds. It is crucial to keep in mind that data can only go so fast over Ethernet, and moving terabytes of data can take days or even weeks.

4. Consistently verify the integrity of backups

Verify the backup’s functionality and file completeness by running restoration tests.

November 10, 2023
Cloud Computing General Insurance Press Release

You have heard the terms digital transformation and cloud computing many times in the past decade, but now it has come to the insurance sector. Digital technologies have had a major effect on just about every industry from retail and manufacturing to healthcare and hospitality. The insurance industry is often slower to jump on any new trends. Insurance providers are set in tradition and don’t usually see much need to change. Digital transformation and blockchain strategies are not usually part of insurance technology. 

Insurance Companies and the Customer Experience

Although many aspects of the insurance industry have been digitized for many years, much of the work was still done with pen and paper, especially the underwriting of insurance policies. This has changed. To keep up with the demands of their clients and improve the customer experience, nearly all of their operations are now handled by automation and artificial intelligence. Any business, including startups wanting to stay competitive in the twenty-first century, must be willing and able to meet with new and current customers where and when the client chooses, in real-time. Understanding customer behavior is more important than ever.

The driving force behind the digital transformation of the insurance industry is artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, data analytics, machine learning, mobile access, live chat, and automation. This has allowed the insurance business to step into the modern world and compete effectively.

How Insurance Companies are Changing

Just as with other industries, there are a vast number of ways of how digital transformation has changed the insurance industry. For example, operations are streamlined, interactions with customers are in real-time over the internet through platforms such as Zoom, customer needs are instantly addressed over live chat, the claims process is electronic and automatic, financial services are more efficient, insurance products are easier to access and brokers are able to aggregate client information for a smoother, more accurate outcome. However, the most profound impact digital transformation has had on the insurance market can be summed up in four categories: Efficiency, Personalization, Scalability, and Agility.

Efficiency of Automation

The most obvious benefit of going digital is efficiency. There is no doubt machines can work faster and more accurately than humans. Primarily controlled by artificial intelligence and automation, and other technologies such as the Internet of Things, advanced analytics, and machine learning, nearly every process in the insurance industry has been optimized for speed and to better meet customer expectations.

Policyholders benefit from a faster claims process through mobile apps and underwriting takes much less time due to automation, getting insurance policies out to clients quicker. Digital transformation also greatly improves customer service because clients can access live chat and digital assistants around the clock – anytime they need help, help is available.

Personalization

Customers don’t want to be just a number on their insurance policy. They expect an exceptional customer experience and personalized attention. Competition is fierce. If you can’t fulfill the needs of your clients, someone else will gladly take your place. Your customers want to know that their needs are being met and that you care about them.

Insurance is a very personal thing and that’s why it has been handled person-to-person for all these years. However, you can have digital transformation without losing that personal touch.

You have the latest technology at your fingertips to provide the best of everything your clients want – personalized service, security, and protection. Plus, the convenience of checking the status of their insurance policy and claims online.

Scalability

Digital transformation helps the insurance industry scale easier. Although much of the work was always done in the field, agents needed office space and the broker needed a home base of operations. Most agents now work from home, which saves you a lot of money in overhead. You can scale your business without adding extra office space or buying expensive technology. Cloud computing gives all of your agents instant access to everything they need to meet the client’s needs and access to IoT to make life easier.

Customer benefits include self-service dashboards, mobile apps, and wearables so they can easily access their insurance policies anytime they like.

Agility

Transforming to a digital world has helped insurers become more agile. Transporting data is instant. With just a few clicks an agent can complete a client application form and send it securely to the underwriting team. As the client base grows, there is no need for extra space or equipment. Your company is agile enough to grow with the times.

These new technologies, including digital transformation for insurance, are certain to evolve and you can be sure that with a solid technological foundation, your business will be able to grow right along with it without a hitch.

Why Digital Transformation for Insurance Matters

The whole world has embraced digital transformation and it is about time that the insurance industry has joined in, as well. APIs are critical for digital transformation for insurance. In addition to their architectural part in integrating apps, APIs and technological advancements empower you to implement new business strategies, agile and scalable business changes, unparalleled ecosystem connectivity, and superior customer relations.

The original, unedited version of this article was first published on www.dreamfactory.com.

September 21, 2022
Cloud Computing

The growth of cloud computing is grounded in good reason.

Long before the dawn of the digital age, the poet Wordsworth “wandered lonely as a cloud,” although he probably wasn’t pondering the problem of secure computing.

These days, the cloud is no longer so lonely. With exabytes of information in play for banks, government agencies, and insurers, the challenge of finding enough computing power and the expense of internal archiving—not to mention risks from hacking—seem to be looming larger.

For many, the solution is a move to secure data centers off premises, hiring vendors to establish firewalls that keep information safe and yet instantly accessible. Those data centers are now referred to collectively as “the cloud.”

But why would any institution concerned about security and privacy send data seemingly into the unknown? Although it first looks counterintuitive, the growing migration to cloud computing is based on some remarkably grounded reasons that involve cost, privacy, and potential for competitive advantage.

In terms of safety, users are able to store data in lockboxes known as virtual private clouds. These are not unlike safety deposit boxes held within a bank vault. Essentially, they can be opened only by recognized depositors. An intruder would first have to break through a cloud’s firewall before approaching an encrypted virtual private cloud.

And for industries subject to regulations about offshoring data—as governed in countries of the European Union—it’s even possible to anchor data to a specific geographic location. Some American companies continue to specify their information remains in the United States, for example.

 

Then there’s the money issue. Questions of cost come down to the overhead involved in any given business having to establish and maintain its own data centers, servers, and expert staff. Such investments tend to be substantial and may explain studies suggesting markedly stronger rates of cloud adoption by businesses in 2016—rates as high as 95%, according to a survey by RightScale, which found that adopters tend to go even “cloudier” after making the initial leap. The same survey reported that companies choosing to begin cloud computing wind up tapping into six different clouds, on average.

Just as in real estate, who wants to pay for hardware and infrastructure when terms may be more attractive to lease?

Less understood has been the notion of “agility” within the cloud—another way of describing a possible first-mover advantage. In choosing an appropriate cloud provider, a company is often able to transfer data instantly and seamlessly between distinct information technology systems and geographic locations.

Whether entering a new or global market or meeting long-standing needs, companies that embrace agility can bring speed and vast computing power to bear on complex problems—including cloud-based analytic tools that carry potential to penetrate data and bring insights that better inform our decisions. In the world of insurance, for example, models for underwriting property might benefit from instant access to information about flood, fire, or weather from a distant location.

There may be situations for which cloud usage looks less sensible, and some onlookers remain to be convinced. But in the main, it turns out there’s almost nothing lonely about the cloud. Cloud computing is proving to be a safe and cost-efficient solution for making use of an ever-increascloud-based our vital data.

Best’s Review columnist Scott G. Stephenson is chief executive officer of Verisk Analytics. He can be reached at [email protected].

 

January 7, 2017