Published: 02 Nov 2023
Rapid Deployments Help Support Fivefold Increase In Business Volume Whilst Bolstering Security
Angle Finance has used automation for rapid and secure deployments, to optimise its existing Azure environment and bolster its cybersecurity posture with Microsoft Sentinel
Angle Finance is an Australian-based non-bank lender that challenges the conventional boundaries of financial services with its innovative and agile approach to asset finance. The company strives to deliver customers a streamlined application process and attractive terms, whilst protecting customer data.
Every team member, from the most junior employee to the CEO, is empowered to challenge the status quo and innovate at speed to achieve great customer outcomes. This has helped the company achieve a compound annual growth rate of almost 200 per cent over the past 18 months.
As a high-growth company, Angle Finance partnered with LAB3 to optimise the capability and capacity of its existing Microsoft cloud environment which had been managed internally, and at the same time bolster cybersecurity.
We had two problems to solve: the support, uplift and augmentation of cloud infrastructure, and an uplift of our cybersecurity services. This is especially critical for our company given our commitment to security and responsible handling of customer data. I picked up the phone and LAB3jumped straight in to help us. That's the kind of a partnership I was looking for, and it's taken off from there.
Jason Qoriniyasi — Head of Technology and Security, Angle Finance
Challenge
The Angle Finance technology vision is anchored on the use of process and decision automation to drive a great experience. As a high-growth company, Angle Finance wanted to optimise the capability and capacity of its existing Microsoft cloud environment which had been managed internally.
Angle Finance had two problems to solve. First, the support, uplift and augmentation of cloud infrastructure - to augment skillsets to support a growing Microsoft Azure tenant, migrate workloads to the cloud, improve ecosystem resiliency whilst scaling, and imbue a culture of continuous cost optimisation. Second, an uplift of its cybersecurity services - to augment skillsets to manage cybersecurity threats and protect its systems, endpoints and data.
After evaluating the market, in October 2021, Angle Finance reached out to LAB3 to provide the capability and capacity uplift that it needed.
Approach
Leveraging Microsoft services such as Azure, Azure DevOps, Azure Modular Data Centre, Microsoft 365 E5 and Microsoft Sentinel, LAB3 has helped Angle Finance rapidly deploy several solutions focused on improving cloud agility, data governance and security.
This included an IRAP-assessed security information and event management solution provided as part of our security services, that with automation, deploys (and then manages) Microsoft Sentinel in weeks. The solution has been integrated into the company's hybrid infrastructure, including its on-premises and software-as-a-service systems, for end-to-end coverage.
Angle Finance has also deployed our managed security operations centre (SOC) that maintains data sovereignty and control sovereignty. This is made possible with the automated lifecycle management provided through LAB3 Security services.
Further, Angle Finance has automated its Azure Landing Zone with the LAB3 CAF aligned Bedrock solution to enhance cloud scalability, data governance and security against modern threats.
Impact
The new security solutions have helped Angle Finance improve visibility, maturity, and control. It is constantly evolving but was recently acknowledged at Board level as a significant uplift and great business outcome.
The scalability and automation associated with the Azure Landing Zone has enabled Angle Finance to accelerate a business requirement to build and deploy the portal for the specific [asset] vendor market that it supports in less than 3 months, which was a great outcome for its customers.
Our partnership with LAB3 has played a key role in keeping costs down. We've managed to maintain a relatively stable cost base over the past 18 months, despite handling a fivefold increase in business volume. I am very happy with the culture of continuous cost optimisation.
Peter Haviland — Chief Information & Operating Officer, Angle Finance