Abstract: An apparatus for protecting an integrated circuit formed in a substrate and a method for protecting the integrated circuit against reverse engineering includes an active shield having a signal transmitter, a signal receiver, at least two conductor tracks running between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver, and a drive and evaluation device connected to the signal transmitter and to the signal receiver. The shield at least partially covers the integrated circuit. A covering composition applied on the substrate forms a mechanical protection of the integrated circuit. The shield has a switching apparatus. As a result, a capacitive measurement method can be carried out in a first switching state and damage to the shield can be detected in a second switching state.