An integrated circuit device for protecting circuits from transient electrical events is disclosed. An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate having formed therein a bidirectional semiconductor rectifier (SCR) having a cathode/anode electrically connected to a first terminal and an anode/cathode electrically connected to a second terminal. The integrated circuit device additionally includes a plurality of metallization levels formed above the semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit device further includes a triggering device formed in the semiconductor substrate on a first side and adjacent to the bidirectional SCR. The triggering device includes one or more of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or an avalanche PN diode, where a first device terminal of the triggering device is commonly connected to the T1 with the K/A, and where a second device terminal of the triggering device is electrically connected to a central region of the bidirectional SCR through one or more of the metallization levels.