A system for protection a component in an integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The system includes a disconnect element (11) electrically connected in series between a terminal of the IC and one component (24). The disconnect element has a first state to permit an electrical signal to propagate from the terminal to the one component and a second state corresponding to a high impedance condition that electrically disconnect the terminal relative to the one component. A control system (40) causes the disconnect element to transition from the first state to the second state based on a predetermined activation condition.