N-able’s Cat-MIP Standardizes AI Automation Terminology
▼ Summary
– N-able has introduced Cat-MIP, a solution to standardize terminology for AI automation and MCP Server behaviors across MSP and IT ecosystems.
– It addresses fragmented terminology by creating a vendor-neutral dictionary through the Cat-MIP Standards Board, which includes partners like HaloPSA and Auvik Networks.
– This dictionary enables AI agents to interpret commands accurately across different platforms, reducing misinterpretation and ensuring correct execution.
– Key benefits include stronger cybersecurity, reduced errors, flexible vendor collaboration, and faster innovation through community standards.
– Industry experts emphasize that Cat-MIP increases AI precision and trustworthiness, supporting interoperability and business resilience.
N-able has launched Cat-MIP, a new framework aimed at standardizing AI automation and MCP Server terminology across managed service providers and IT environments. This initiative seeks to improve clarity and interoperability, enabling more effective use of artificial intelligence for boosting operational efficiency and strengthening cybersecurity defenses.
One of the biggest hurdles in AI-driven IT management has been the lack of consistent language across different platforms and vendors. To address this, the Cat-MIP Standards Board, which includes HaloPSA, Auvik Networks, SecurityBiaS, and ScalePad, is developing a vendor-neutral dictionary. This resource is designed to facilitate smoother AI integration by establishing common terms and mapping equivalent expressions used in various systems.
This lightweight, interoperable dictionary allows AI agents to accurately interpret and execute commands no matter which platform they operate on. For instance, if an AI receives an instruction like “restart all my devices,” Cat-MIP helps eliminate confusion and ensures the action is carried out correctly across different vendor ecosystems.
By reducing ambiguity and promoting uniform communication, Cat-MIP supports the delivery of smarter, more secure, and highly reliable automation throughout IT infrastructures.
Kathleen Moriarty, CEO of SecurityBiaS, emphasized the importance of this effort, stating, “Establishing clear terminology is a foundational step for any standards initiative, much like identifying assets before assessing risk. This initial work helps create a base for securing and managing AI interactions among organizations and vendors, which is essential for true interoperability.”
Key advantages of Cat-MIP include:
Enhanced cybersecurity and reliability: The system reduces errors caused by misinterpretation, lowering the chance of unexpected AI behavior. This helps ensure that vital IT processes are executed correctly from the start.
Greater flexibility in vendor and ecosystem collaboration: Cat-MIP enables smooth interoperability between different vendors, giving IT service providers the freedom to select the best tools without being confined to closed systems.
Accelerated innovation through community standards: Backed by N-able and a growing consortium of partners, Cat-MIP encourages open collaboration, speeding up innovation and strengthening business resilience across the IT landscape.
Nicole Reineke, Senior Distinguished Product Manager at N-able, explained, “Cat-MIP serves as the semantic foundation of the N-able Ecoverse, offering a common language and structure that supports intelligent, secure, and scalable collaboration. At its heart, Cat-MIP is about improving the accuracy and trustworthiness of AI. Misinterpreted commands can lead to costly or even dangerous outcomes from a cybersecurity perspective. Cat-MIP enhances precision so organizations can rely on AI actions and safeguard their systems with confidence. Efficiency, accuracy, and resilience are now business-critical requirements.”
Roop Petersen, Director of Engineering at Auvik Networks, added, “As AI becomes increasingly integral to IT operations, shared standards like Cat-MIP will play a vital role. By aligning MCP terminology across vendors, we can minimize confusion and build a stronger foundation for interoperability, helping the entire ecosystem achieve more dependable results.”
(Source: HelpNet Security)