MCP becomes useful when the same business capability needs to appear in several AI applications. Without a standard interface, each client tends to grow its own wrapper around the same HR, document or ticketing API. Northstar uses MCP to make those connections reusable while leaving the business system in charge of its records. [5]
The protocol can expose tools, resources and reusable prompts, but that is integration plumbing, not permission. Authentication, record authorization, tool limits and validation still belong in the host and downstream services. MCP standardizes how capabilities are discovered and invoked. It does not decide whether a payroll document is trustworthy or whether an employee may read it. [5]
MCP 2026-07-28 has a stateless protocol core, with per-request version and capability metadata replacing the earlier initialization handshake. Older examples should therefore be checked against the version you intend to implement. Local process integrations commonly use stdio, while remote integrations use Streamable HTTP. Stateless protocol mechanics do not require the business application or tool to forget its own persistent state. [5–6]
For protected HTTP services, follow the authorization specification for the target MCP version. Tokens must be intended for the receiving MCP server, and that server validates them. Do not pass unrelated tokens through it. Credentials stay outside model-visible text, while record-level authorization remains with the service that owns the operation. [7]
Review an MCP server the same way you would review any integration that can reach company data or actions. Pin implementations when practical, scope credentials and recheck tool definitions when they change. If a direct API integration is simpler and reuse is limited, keep the direct integration. Interoperability is valuable when it removes real work, not because it is fashionable.