In the financial data industry, ensuring rapid, secure, and reliable access to information is critical. In February 2023, Market Data restructured its infrastructure strategy to better support its growth. After evaluating providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Vercel, the company chose Cloudflare (NYSE:NET) for key network services, citing a need for predictable costs, global network performance, and strong security protections. Cloudflare stood out by offering a combination of cost predictability, global network performance, and advanced security features that better aligned with Market Data’s priorities.
Market Data specializes in delivering comprehensive spreadsheet add-ons and robust API services, allowing users to access real-time and historical stock, options, and ETF data directly on their preferred platforms. Max Nowak, Operations Manager at Market Data, spoke about the company’s infrastructure and technology choices.
Market Data’s Choice of Cloudflare
“Cloudflare offered a practical solution for our needs,” Nowak explained. “Their global CDN network with free egress helped us better control infrastructure costs, especially during periods of unexpected traffic growth.”
One important feature Market Data uses is Cloudflare’s advanced firewall capabilities. “We adopted the Zero Trust framework, blocking all direct incoming traffic except through Cloudflare’s secure tunnel brokers,” Nowak said. “This approach ensures an exceptionally secure environment for our sensitive financial data.”
Cloudflare’s caching services also play a major role in improving Market Data’s operations. “Our website loads faster, and we’ve notably decreased our server load,” Nowak remarked. These improvements not only boost customer satisfaction but also streamline internal resources.
Security remains a top priority for financial services, and Cloudflare’s protection tools have made a difference. “Cloudflare reliably blocks most automated bot attacks, while intelligently allowing essential friendly bots such as Google and ChatGPT to access our site,” Nowak noted. “This smart filtering dramatically improves our site’s reliability and security.”
Cloudflare’s Advantages
Nowak confirmed measurable business benefits since adopting Cloudflare’s services. “Each implementation helped lower our cloud-related expenses, making it easier to sustain our growth,” he said.
Cloudflare’s platform design also stands out for its ease of use. “Almost everything we need can be handled directly through their interface, which allows us to move quickly without getting bogged down in technical support requests,” Nowak shared.
For other businesses in the financial sector considering similar solutions, Nowak offers a careful endorsement. “Cloudflare has been a strong fit for our needs,” he said. “For companies facing similar challenges, it’s worth considering.”
Market Data’s experience highlights the importance of selecting infrastructure partners that align with both technical needs and business goals — a focus that remains central as the company continues to expand its services for financial professionals and individual investors.