We use MCP and A2A where they fit the workflow, then test each implementation's authentication, permissions, data contracts, and provider-specific behavior.
The Protocol Landscape
MCP (Model Context Protocol)
Created by Anthropic. Gives AI applications a common way to connect to compatible tools, APIs, and data sources while your architecture continues to control identity, policy, and provider-specific behavior.
A2A (Agent-to-Agent Protocol)
Created by Google. Standardizes how independent agents discover each other, negotiate, and collaborate on shared tasks.
Why both matter
MCP handles vertical integration (agent→tools). A2A handles horizontal collaboration (agent↔agent). Enterprise systems need both.
How We Use Protocols
Compatible tool access
Connect agents to supported enterprise systems through governed MCP servers, with adapters and testing for each system's APIs, identity model, and data contracts.
Cross-boundary collaboration
Use A2A to test supported coordination between agents while keeping each implementation's data-sharing rules explicit.
Provider boundaries
Use standard interfaces to isolate provider-specific work and make future changes easier across models, tools, and platforms.
AWS Bedrock AgentCore option
Evaluate current AgentCore Gateway features when managed MCP connections, identity, and credential handling fit the workload.
Why This Matters for Enterprises
As agent adoption grows, MCP and A2A can reduce the number of one-off connections your team must maintain. We use the standards where they fit and isolate provider-specific APIs, data formats, identity, and extensions behind clear interfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard created by Anthropic that gives AI applications a common way to connect to compatible tools, APIs, and data sources. It can reduce one-off integration work, while your team still controls authentication, permissions, data contracts, and provider-specific behavior.
A2A (Agent-to-Agent Protocol) is an open standard created by Google that enables AI agents from different vendors and systems to discover each other, negotiate, and collaborate on shared tasks. A2A allows specialized agents to coordinate actions across organizational and vendor boundaries.
Open agent protocols standardize selected connection points, which can reduce one-off integrations and make future changes easier. Provider APIs, data formats, identity, extensions, and operating choices still matter, so we design portability around the complete architecture.
Tactical Edge evaluates MCP for compatible tool access and A2A for supported agent collaboration. When AWS Bedrock AgentCore Gateway fits the workload, we can use its current MCP, identity, and credential features. We test authentication, permissions, data contracts, protocol versions, and provider-specific behavior before relying on the connection.
Design Your Agent Architecture