If you have heard people talk about MCP, short for Model Context Protocol, it is simply a standard way for an AI model to connect to tools and data. Think of it as a plug standard for AI. Instead of building a different custom connection for every model and every tool, you build one MCP server for a tool, and any MCP-capable AI application can use it.
Why a business owner should care
- Less custom work: connecting an agent to your accounting, calendar, CRM or documents becomes more repeatable.
- Less lock-in: tools built to the standard can work with more than one AI vendor's products.
- A growing ecosystem: many software vendors now publish MCP servers, so some connections already exist.
MCP and agent to agent protocols
Industry commentary this year says many production setups use two layers: MCP between an agent and its tools, and an agent to agent protocol for agents talking to each other. These are secondary reports, and standards are changing, so check the project websites for current status before you plan around them.
The security catch
A plug that connects an AI to your systems is also a door. Before you connect anything, ask:
- Who wrote this MCP server, and can we read its code?
- What exactly can it read, change or delete? Can we make it read-only?
- Where does the data go, and is it logged?
- What happens if text from an email or web page tries to steer the agent into using this tool? See our guide to prompt injection.
- Can we turn it off quickly?
A sensible way to start
Begin with one low-risk tool, such as read-only access to a document folder or a calendar. Prove value, then add more. Keep a person in the approval loop for anything that sends messages, moves money or edits records. Treat third-party MCP servers like any other software you install: check the source, limit permissions and keep them updated.
What we do
When we build agents for clients, we usually connect tools through MCP where a good server exists and write a small, limited one where it does not. That keeps the agent flexible, and keeps what it can touch narrow.
Want an AI agent built around your own business, with the right model for each job? Talk to Power Digital and we will scope it with you.
