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Overview

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI assistants to securely connect with external data sources and tools. Developed by Anthropic, MCP provides a universal way for AI models to interact with your systems while maintaining security and control.

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Why MCP Matters

Traditional AI assistants are limited to their training data and built-in capabilities. MCP changes this by allowing AI to:
  • Access Real-Time Data: Connect to databases, APIs, and live systems
  • Use External Tools: Execute code, manage files, or interact with third-party services
  • Maintain Context: Share relevant information across conversations and sessions
  • Preserve Security: Control exactly what the AI can access and do

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How It Works

MCP defines a standard protocol for communication between three components:
  1. MCP Client: The AI assistant (like Claude) that wants to use tools
  2. MCP Server: A service that provides specific tools or data access
  3. Transport Layer: The communication method (HTTP, stdio, etc.)
AI Assistant (Client) ←→ MCP Protocol ←→ Your Tools (Server)

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Key Concepts

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Tools

Functions that the AI can call, like “search_database” or “send_email”. Each tool has:
  • A name and description
  • Input parameters
  • Expected output format

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Resources

Data sources the AI can read from, like files or API endpoints.

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Prompts

Pre-configured templates that help the AI use tools effectively.

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Security Model

MCP includes built-in security features:
  • Authentication: Verify the AI’s identity before granting access
  • Authorization: Control which tools each AI can use
  • Audit Logging: Track all AI-tool interactions
  • Rate Limiting: Prevent abuse or excessive usage

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In Civic Labs

We’re extending MCP with additional security and management capabilities:
  • MCP Hub: Centralized management and discovery of MCP servers
  • Guardrail Proxy: Add security policies without modifying servers
  • Bodyguard: Detect malicious prompts before they reach tools
  • Pass-through Proxy: Insert custom logic into the MCP flow

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Learn More