You'll hear MCP a lot. All it means is the bridge. When Claude connects to Gmail, a calendar or your CRM, that connection usually runs through something called an MCP server.
What does MCP do for a business?
It lets Claude read and act inside the tools you already use. Most of the time you'll never see the term, because you add a connector from Claude's Customize menu and sign in. When an app doesn't have one built in, the app gives you an MCP link, and you add it under Customize > Connectors > Add custom connector.
Is MCP safe?
The connection is only as safe as the app you connect and the permissions you give it. You sign in through OAuth, so you never hand Claude your password, and you can cut the connection off at any time. Connect the tools you need and nothing else.
Who created MCP?
Anthropic introduced it as an open standard, and many other AI companies and apps now support it.