Multi-Context Protocol Framework: A Paradigm Shift in Cybersecurity Architecture

Abstract

The cybersecurity landscape today is characterized by advanced threats that take advantage of traditional security architectures operating in isolation. This article proposes the Multi-Context Protocol framework, a paradigm shift in cybersecurity architecture that systematically overcomes these limitations by integrating a wide range of contextual dimensions. Unlike traditional approaches that assess security signals in isolation, MCP introduces structured processes for collecting, weighting, fusing, and operationalizing heterogeneous contextual data around user identity, device posture, network attributes, application behavior, and temporal patterns into unified security assessments. The framework is made up of specialized architectural components working in concert: Context Providers are specialized security sensors across multiple dimensions; a Context Fusion Engine aggregates and analyzes multidimensional data; Policy Decision Points evaluate the security assessments against organizational policies; and Policy Enforcement Points execute the corresponding security controls. This enables an organization, through continuous feedback loops and adapting learning mechanisms, to improve threat detection capability, reduce false positives, introduce proportionate automated responses, and enhance overall cyber situational awareness in light of a changing threat landscape.