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.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
How It Works
MCP defines a standard protocol for communication between three components:- MCP Client: The AI assistant (like Claude) that wants to use tools
- MCP Server: A service that provides specific tools or data access
- Transport Layer: The communication method (HTTP, stdio, etc.)
Key Concepts
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
Resources
Data sources the AI can read from, like files or API endpoints.Prompts
Pre-configured templates that help the AI use tools effectively.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
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