Model Context Protocol (MCP)
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What is MCP?
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI models to connect with external tools, data sources, and services in a structured, secure way. Originally developed by Anthropic, MCP provides a standardized interface for AI agents to interact with the outside world—reading databases, calling APIs, executing code, and manipulating files.
Think of MCP as the "USB for AI"—a universal connector that lets any AI model work with any tool without custom integration code.
Why MCP Matters for Organizations
For enterprises deploying AI agents, MCP solves a critical problem: how do you give AI systems the ability to take real actions while maintaining security and control?
Without MCP, every integration between an AI model and a business tool requires custom code. With MCP, organizations can:
- Deploy AI agents faster - Standard protocol means less custom development
- Control permissions precisely - OAuth integration enables least-privilege access
- Audit agent actions - Structured schemas and elicitation flows create clear audit trails
- Pause for human approval - High-risk actions can trigger approval workflows
MCP 2.0: The Security Update
The 2.0 specification (2025) introduced three foundational security improvements:
- OAuth Support - Enterprise-grade authentication and authorization, enabling least-privilege access patterns
- Structured Schemas - Whitelists that define exactly what actions tools can take, blocking prompt injection attacks
- Elicitation Flows - Pause points where AI agents can request human confirmation before high-risk actions
Remaining Challenges
Even with MCP 2.0, organizations must address:
- Server verification - No cryptographic way to prove an MCP server is legitimate
- Tool signing - Binaries and tools lack verification mechanisms
- Blast radius - A compromised MCP server has full access to its host environment
The Three-Question Framework
Security experts recommend asking three questions when deploying MCP-based agents:
- What authority does my agent have? - Read-only vs. destroy/edit capabilities
- How big is the blast radius? - One user, one app, or entire enterprise?
- How reversible is the action? - Reading data vs. deleting it
See Also
- AI Agents - Autonomous systems that use MCP to take actions
- Enterprise AI - Business context for AI deployment decisions
Mentioned In
Rashid
"MCP connections allow Claude Code to interact with external world and deliver actual value in your business. You can connect to Notion, YouTube, databases, and more."
Vernell
"Deep dive on MCP 2.0 security features including OAuth, structured schemas, and elicitation flows"
Zenchant
"Referenced as one of the foundational agent protocols alongside A2A, AP2, AGUI, and the new UCP"
Rola (Tech42)
"Anthropic donated MCP to the Linux Foundation under a new sub-organization also chaired by OpenAI. Think of it as a USB or HDMI portal - if interfaces are the same, we can plug and play different systems."