An integrated circuit and method are provided for preventing reverse engineering by monitoring light emissions emitted from transistors and such electrically active devices in the integrated circuit. The method prevents, in an integrated circuit, a pattern of light emitted from at least one active device in the integrated circuit from being detected external to the integrated circuit by fading the light emitted from the at least one active device in the integrated circuit and that is emitted external to the integrated circuit. Bright light emission emitted in substantial close proximity to the at least one active device in the integrated circuit, and emitted external to the integrated circuit, fades a pattern of light emission emitted from the at least one active device.