The Indian Banking Community Cloud (IBCC) is a secure, cloud-based infrastructure designed specifically for Indian banks. Developed by the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), the IBCC enables collaborative resource sharing, cost optimization, and efficient service delivery within the Indian banking ecosystem.
Launched on August 2, 2013, IBCC supports banks—especially new and emerging institutions—by offering scalable cloud services that reduce IT infrastructure costs and promote operational agility.
Objectives
- To strengthen technological capabilities within the Indian banking sector.
- To facilitate a shared digital infrastructure while maintaining high standards of security, compliance, and interoperability.
- To make core banking and payment solutions more accessible and cost-effective.
Key Offerings
IBCC provides services across all three major cloud layers:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) / Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Storage and hosting
- Data Centre as a Service (DCaaS)
- Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Core Banking Solutions (CBS)
- Payment systems (e.g., NEFT, RTGS via SFMS Multibank)
- Channel solutions (Mobile Banking, Wallet, FI/BC)
- Support systems (Learning Management Systems, Email)
- Secure file sharing and object storage
Key Features
- Cloud-Based Infrastructure: Delivers reliable, scalable, and secure computing resources tailored to banking needs.
- Flexible Subscription Model: Banks can subscribe to services fully or partially, depending on their current requirements.
- Audit Flexibility: Enables banks to perform audits independently, with or without prior notice to IBCC.
- Interbank Collaboration: Promotes resource sharing and cooperative growth within the sector.
Benefits
- Cost Optimization: Significant savings on IT infrastructure and maintenance.
- Resource Efficiency: Focus shifts from managing tech infrastructure to core banking operations.
- High Security: Ensures the protection of sensitive financial data with robust security protocols.
- Operational Agility: Enables faster deployment and scaling of digital banking services.
- Simplified IT Management: Allows banks to outsource their IT needs, reducing operational complexity.
Challenges and Considerations
- Security and Data Privacy: Ensuring end-to-end protection of customer and transactional data is critical.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to evolving RBI and national data regulations is mandatory.
- Interoperability: Seamless integration with other banking systems and cloud platforms is essential.
Summary
The Indian Banking Community Cloud (IBCC) is a forward-looking initiative that leverages cloud computing to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen collaboration in the Indian banking sector. With its domain-specific capabilities, IBCC has successfully enabled the migration of services once thought unsuitable for cloud—such as Core Banking Systems and SFMS Clients—while maintaining a strong emphasis on security, compliance, and cost-efficiency.
Related Post:
