Dr. Johnathan Yerby

Dr. Johnathan Yerby joined Mercer University in 2021. He leads the cybersecurity program and serves as director of Mercer’s Center for Cyber Outreach, Research, and Education (CORE). He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in cybersecurity and information science and technology while leading initiatives to enhance Mercer’s impact in the field.

With 16 years of experience in higher education teaching and administration, along with over a decade in information technology and project management, Dr. Yerby is dedicated to mentoring students and advancing cybersecurity education.

Dr. Yerby is the point of contact for Mercer’s NSA Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation, ensuring the program meets national standards and provides students with valuable opportunities in cybersecurity. Passionate about collaboration and innovation, Dr. Yerby is always looking for new ways to strengthen cybersecurity education and research.

Education

• Ph.D., Instructional Technology, Georgia State University
• MMIS, Georgia College & State University
• MBA, Georgia College & State University
• B.S., Information Technology, Macon State College

Specialty

Dr. Yerby specializes in cybersecurity, cyber forensics, privacy, and cybersecurity awareness. His expertise extends to cybersecurity education and research, with extensive experience collaborating with the Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) community to uphold national standards and expand opportunities in the field.

Professional Interests

Dr. Yerby’s research focuses on cyber forensics, cybersecurity awareness and privacy, instructional technology, and digital presence. He is particularly interested in exploring innovative approaches to cybersecurity education and the evolving challenges in digital security.

Recent Publications

• Holbel, R., Yerby, J., & Smith, W. (2024). Utilizing virtualized honeypots for threat hunting, malware analysis, and reporting. Issues in Information Systems, 25(1).
• Yerby, J., & Breese, J. (2023). Applied steganography: An interesting case for learners of all ages. Cybersecurity Pedagogy & Practice Journal.
• Yerby, J., & Vaughn, I. (2022). Deliberately confusing language in terms of service and privacy policy agreements. Issues in Information Systems, 23(2).
• Yerby, J., & Breese, J. (2022). Something that works: The Evolution of a steganography exercise. Proceedings of the EDSIG Conference, Clearwater Beach, FL.
• Williams, E., & Yerby, J. (2019). Google and Facebook Data Retention and Location Tracking through Forensic Cloud Analysis. Southern Association for Information Systems (SAIS).
• Yerby, J., Koohang, A., & Paliszkiewicz, J. (2019). Social media privacy concerns and risk beliefs. Online Journal of Applied Knowledge Management (OJAKM), 7(1), 1-13.
• Yerby, J., & Floyd, K. (2018, August). Faculty and staff information security awareness and behaviors. In Journal of The Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 23-23).
• Calandra, B., Brantley-Dias, L., Yerby, J., & Demir, K. (2018). Examining the quality of preservice science teachers’ written reflections when using video recordings, audio recordings, and memories of a teaching event. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 18(1), 81-101.
• Yerby, J. (2017). An Analysis of Presence in an Asynchronous Online Undergraduate Mastery Course Using Structural Equation Modeling.

Contact Dr. Johnathan Yerby

(478) 301-2601
yerby_jm@mercer.edu
Office: Willet Science Center, Room 228