What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)?
The open standard that lets AI models plug into your tools and data - powerful, and something to govern.
Model Context Protocol (MCP): definition
MCP standardizes the connection between an AI model and the outside world. Instead of bespoke integrations, a model speaks MCP to discover and invoke tools - read a database, call an API, take an action - through a uniform protocol. This is what turns a chat model into an agent that can do things. That power is exactly why MCP connections must be governed: every tool a model can reach is a capability that needs identity, permissions, and logging.
- A common interface for models to discover and call tools and data
- Turns passive models into agents that can take real actions
- Each connected tool is a capability that must be permissioned
- Governance is essential: identity, least privilege, and logging per call
How Fintra handles it
Fintra exposes its context to AI assistants over MCP so Claude, ChatGPT, or Slack can answer questions grounded in your finance and HR data - but every MCP call is governed by SentriAI per call, scoped to what the caller is allowed to see and do, and logged. MCP gives the reach; governance ensures each call is identity-scoped and accountable rather than an open door.
Worked example
Frequently asked questions
What does MCP do?
It provides a common, open interface for AI models to connect to external tools, data, and services - so a model can discover and invoke capabilities (read data, call APIs, take actions) through one standard rather than custom integrations. It is a key enabler of AI agents.
Why does MCP need governance?
Because every tool a model can reach through MCP is a real capability - reading data or taking action. Without identity, permission scoping, and logging on each call, MCP becomes an ungoverned door into your systems. Governance makes each call accountable.
How does Fintra use MCP?
Fintra exposes its context to AI assistants (Claude, ChatGPT, Slack) over MCP so they can answer grounded in your data - with every call governed by SentriAI per call, scoped to the caller’s permissions, and logged. Actions require the same governance a human action would.
Is MCP secure by default?
MCP is a connection standard, not a security control by itself - safety depends on how connections are authenticated, scoped, and logged. Fintra layers per-call governance, least-privilege scoping, and audit logging on top of MCP so the reach it provides stays controlled.
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