To connect Model Context Protocol (MCP) to your company’s internal APIs, you’ll need to design an integration layer that handles authentication, data transformation, and secure communication between systems. Start by identifying the endpoints and data formats your APIs use, then map MCP’s requirements to those interfaces. For example, if your APIs use REST or GraphQL, you’ll need to ensure MCP can send and receive HTTP requests, parse JSON/XML payloads, and handle authentication tokens. If MCP operates with a specific data schema (like protobuf or Avro), create adapters to convert between your API’s data structures and MCP’s expected format. Tools like Apache Kafka or custom middleware can help bridge protocol mismatches.
Next, focus on authentication and authorization. If your internal APIs use OAuth, API keys, or mutual TLS (mTLS), configure MCP to support these methods. For instance, if your APIs require JWT-based access, modify MCP’s client configuration to generate tokens via your identity provider (e.g., Okta or Azure AD). If MCP lacks built-in support for your auth mechanism, write a wrapper script or service to handle token management. For secure communication, enforce HTTPS and validate certificates. If your APIs are behind a firewall, deploy MCP in a network zone (like a DMZ) that allows controlled access, or use a reverse proxy like NGINX to route traffic safely.
Finally, test the integration thoroughly. Use mock APIs or tools like Postman to simulate interactions before connecting to production systems. For example, if MCP needs to fetch user data from an internal HR API, validate that queries return correctly formatted responses and errors are logged. Monitor latency and throughput to ensure MCP doesn’t overload your APIs—implement rate limiting or caching if needed. Document the integration steps, including error codes, retry logic, and recovery procedures. If issues arise, tools like Wireshark or OpenTelemetry can help diagnose network or data mismatches. Regularly audit the setup to align with API version updates and security policies.