get_virtual_agent_topics
List Virtual Agent topics available in the instance (latest release: streaming VA API)
This record as markdown: /tools/servicenow-mcp-server/get-virtual-agent-topics.md
What get_virtual_agent_topics does on ServiceNow MCP Server
AI agents call get_virtual_agent_topics to retrieve information from ServiceNow MCP Server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why get_virtual_agent_topics is rated Low
This tool retrieves and lists configuration data (Virtual Agent topics) from the ServiceNow instance without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a straightforward read operation with minimal blast radius if misused by an agent—the worst case would be information disclosure of available topics.
From the tool's definition The tool description explicitly states it 'List Virtual Agent topics available in the instance', which is a retrieval operation with no modification or execution of side effects.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs get_virtual_agent_topics safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and ServiceNow MCP Server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For get_virtual_agent_topics, this is the rule to start with:
get_virtual_agent_topics is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect ServiceNow MCP Server, apply this rule, and every get_virtual_agent_topics call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about get_virtual_agent_topics
List Virtual Agent topics available in the instance (latest release: streaming VA API). It is categorised as a Read tool in the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_virtual_agent_topics: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches ServiceNow MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_virtual_agent_topics is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_virtual_agent_topics rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_virtual_agent_topics. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
get_virtual_agent_topics is provided by the ServiceNow MCP Server MCP server (@aartiq/servicenow-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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