Question 1

What are the main kubernetes pros and cons for FinTech platforms?

Accepted Answer

Kubernetes pros: Container setup at scale, multi-cloud flexibility, auto-scaling, zero-downtime deployments, and cost savings when set up right. Australian FinTech platforms get 5-10× deployment frequency increases, 20-35% infrastructure cost reductions, 99.9%+ uptime, and meet AUSTRAC requirements. Kubernetes cons: Complexity needing 6-9 months training, security problems, cost blowout risk (clusters cost 2-3× old infrastructure without FinOps), monitoring gaps, and compliance work needing 6-8 weeks security engineering for AUSTRAC platforms.

Question 2

Is Kubernetes worth it for Australian FinTech companies?

Accepted Answer

Kubernetes delivers value for FinTech platforms with mature DevOps practices and real deployment speed needs. Real platforms get 28% cost cuts and 67× deployment frequency increases. However, 67% of companies delay kubernetes deployments due to security issues. Success depends on team discipline more than technical capability. For platforms without skills, focus on basics first: containerisation, CI/CD maturity, infrastructure-as-code.

Question 3

How long does Kubernetes setup take for FinTech platforms?

Accepted Answer

Full production-ready kubernetes setup for AUSTRAC FinTech platforms takes 40 weeks (9-10 months) from decision to full readiness. Timeline: Foundation phase (8 weeks training and tools), Pilot migration (8 weeks first service), Progressive migration (16 weeks stateless and stateful), Tuning (8 weeks cost reduction and security). Total first-year investment: $180,000-310,000 including team training, external consulting, and tooling.

Question 4

What AUSTRAC compliance requirements affect Kubernetes deployments?

Accepted Answer

AUSTRAC Digital Currency Exchange providers must show: repeatable deployment environments with GitOps audit trails, transaction monitoring infrastructure for real-time AML/CTF processing, incident response capabilities with documented security procedures, and data location enforcement ensuring Australian customer data stays in Australian regions through node labels and admission webhooks.

Question 5

Can Kubernetes reduce infrastructure costs for FinTech platforms?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when set up correctly with FinOps discipline. Australian FinTech platforms get 20-35% infrastructure cost reductions. However, without automated cost monitoring and rightsizing reviews, kubernetes clusters cost 2-3× more than old infrastructure. Common traps: over-set resources (40% average use), cluster sprawl, persistent volume waste, and unbounded auto-scaling.

Question 6

What security risks does Kubernetes introduce for AUSTRAC platforms?

Accepted Answer

Kubernetes adds attack surfaces: API server exposure with wrong RBAC (83% of audited clusters have too many permissions), container image problems, network policy gaps (67% run without network policies), and secrets exposure. AUSTRAC-ready security requires: CIS Kubernetes Benchmark setup, network policies for every namespace, secrets encryption at rest, admission controllers, automated vulnerability scanning, and regular penetration testing. Setup requires 6-8 weeks dedicated security engineering.

Question 7

What is a technical discovery sprint?

Accepted Answer

A technical discovery sprint is a short pre-build process that helps founders define scope, identify technical risks, shape architecture, and set realistic delivery expectations before development starts. Its purpose is to replace assumptions with decisions.

Question 8

How is a technical discovery sprint different from product discovery?

Accepted Answer

Product discovery focuses on the problem, the user, and the value proposition. A technical discovery sprint focuses on delivery choices such as architecture, scope, technical risk, integrations, compliance needs, and budget scenarios.

Question 9

What happens in a technical discovery sprint?

Accepted Answer

A technical discovery sprint usually includes opportunity and constraint mapping, feature stack drafting, risk heat mapping, architecture sketching, and final validation with recommendations. The outcome should be a practical decision package that the team can use immediately.

Question 10

How long does a discovery sprint take?

Accepted Answer

Most discovery sprints run from several days to two weeks, depending on complexity and stakeholder availability. Ostride Labs structures its Discovery Sprint as a five-business-day engagement with senior specialists and concrete deliverables.

Question 11

Is a technical discovery sprint the same as a startup technical review?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly. A startup technical review often focuses on existing delivery or architecture issues. A technical discovery sprint is broader. It helps define the right build path before development starts and includes scope, delivery model, risk, compliance constraints, and budget direction.

Question 12

Is a discovery sprint worth it for founders building a new product?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially when the team is still making early decisions about architecture, delivery model, feature priorities, and compliance exposure. The cost of a short discovery phase is usually far lower than the cost of rework later.

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