diff --git a/python/strands_agents_sops/utils.py b/python/strands_agents_sops/utils.py
index 79136c2..b3aac3a 100644
--- a/python/strands_agents_sops/utils.py
+++ b/python/strands_agents_sops/utils.py
@@ -75,6 +75,18 @@ def load_external_sops(sop_directories: list[Path]) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
                     description = overview_match.group(1).strip().replace("\n", " ")
                     sop_name = sop_file.stem.removesuffix(".sop")
 
+                    # sop_name is later joined onto an output directory as a bare
+                    # path segment (e.g. skills.py's `output_path / sop_name`) to
+                    # create per-SOP files/directories. A crafted filename such as
+                    # "...sop.md" derives sop_name == "..", which escapes the
+                    # intended output directory by one level. Reject any name that
+                    # isn't a plain, single path component.
+                    if not sop_name or sop_name in (".", "..") or os.sep in sop_name:
+                        logger.warning(
+                            f"Skipping SOP with unsafe name {sop_name!r} from {sop_file}"
+                        )
+                        continue
+
                     external_sops.append(
                         {
                             "name": sop_name,
diff --git a/python/tests/test_external_sop_loading.py b/python/tests/test_external_sop_loading.py
index db6c75b..ef2d3ed 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_external_sop_loading.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_external_sop_loading.py
@@ -97,6 +97,19 @@ def test_handle_nonexistent_directory(self):
         sops = load_external_sops([nonexistent_path])
         assert len(sops) == 0  # Should handle gracefully
 
+    def test_reject_path_traversal_sop_name(self):
+        """A filename like '...sop.md' derives sop_name == '..', which would
+        escape the intended output directory when later joined onto one
+        (e.g. skills.py's `output_path / sop_name`). Must be skipped."""
+        with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temp_dir:
+            sop_content = """## Overview
+Attempts to masquerade as the parent directory.
+"""
+            (Path(temp_dir) / "...sop.md").write_text(sop_content)
+
+            sops = load_external_sops([Path(temp_dir)])
+            assert len(sops) == 0
+
 
 class TestMCPIntegration:
     """Test MCP server integration with external SOPs"""