download_resource · Ontario Data MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What download_resource does on Ontario Data

AI agents use download_resource to create or update resources in Ontario Data — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Ontario Data environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why download_resource needs a policy

The tool name suggests downloading a resource from an external portal and storing it locally (cache), which is a Write operation (creates local data). It could also be a Read if it merely fetches without persisting, but in context of a caching MCP server, download likely implies local storage. Confidence is low due to empty description.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'download_resource' on a server described as supporting 'downloading datasets from Ontario's open data portals'. Description is empty/uninformative.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

download_resource Rate-limited

download_resource stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "download_resource": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "download_resource_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Ontario Data, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about download_resource

What does the download_resource tool do? +

download_resource. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Ontario Data MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on download_resource? +

Register the Ontario Data MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for download_resource: 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 Ontario Data. Nothing to install.

What risk level is download_resource? +

download_resource is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit download_resource? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the download_resource 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.

How do I block download_resource completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for download_resource. 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.

What MCP server provides download_resource? +

download_resource is provided by the Ontario Data MCP server (sprine/ontario-data-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.