categorize_incident · ServiceNow- MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What categorize_incident does on ServiceNow-MCP

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why categorize_incident needs a policy

Categorizing an incident involves writing classification fields (category, assignment group, priority) to an existing incident record. While it uses Predictive Intelligence to suggest values, the act of applying those predictions modifies the record. This is reversible (fields can be changed back), so Write is the appropriate category rather than Execute or Destructive.

From the tool's definition 'predict category, assignment group, and priority' — the tool applies ML predictions to update/classify an incident record

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

categorize_incident Rate-limited

categorize_incident 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": {
    "categorize_incident": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "categorize_incident_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 ServiceNow-MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about categorize_incident

What does the categorize_incident tool do? +

Use Predictive Intelligence to predict category, assignment group, and priority (latest release: LightGBM algorithm). It is categorised as a Write tool in the ServiceNow-MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on categorize_incident? +

Register the ServiceNow- MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for categorize_incident: 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. Nothing to install.

What risk level is categorize_incident? +

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

Can I rate-limit categorize_incident? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the categorize_incident 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 categorize_incident completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for categorize_incident. 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 categorize_incident? +

categorize_incident is provided by the ServiceNow- MCP server (tedorigawa001/servicenow-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.