As part of our ongoing online research, TSL Tech Research has been tracking the evolution of work environments at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Since 2024, we have been surveying IT professionals at companies with 50 to 500 employees, asking them where their employees work on average.
After the pandemic, it was predicted that most companies would move back to in-office work and phase out remote work. While we saw a slight increase in returning to the office between 2024 and 2025, between 2025 and 2026, we saw a slight drop in working mostly in the office and a slight increase in hybrid workplaces where more than 50% work in office and some work remotely.
Although in-office work still takes the top ranking in the 2026 survey, the two types of hybrid work environments we identified are used by a higher combined percentage of SMBs. When SMBs continue to operate hybrid work environments, it influences their approach to technology by requiring that they implement solutions and services that support both remote and in-office work.
In 2025, TSL Tech research surveyed 450 IT professionals at SMBS to find out what types of workplace models they were using. Mostly in-office work came out on top. However, hybrid workplaces that mix remote and in-office work captured the highest combined percentage. Our 2026 survey of 814 IT decision makers at SMBs produced similar results.
In 2025, when we asked SMBs where their employees work on average, they responded:
Of the 814 IT professionals at SMBs surveyed in 2026:
The change in choice of workplace models year-over-year is negligible, showing only a slight decrease in in-office work. These findings seem to show that the trend toward increased in-office work is ending, while the use of hybrid workplaces remains steady.
Key Takeaways:
Both in 2025 and 2026, about 53% of SMBs used some type of hybrid workplace compared with 37% and 36% mostly in office, respectively. The combined total for 2026 includes 34% working more than 50% in office with some remote and 19% working less than 50% in office with the rest remote. While remote workplaces are still the least popular option, the rate of use has remained pretty much the same among SMBs.
In past survey results, TSL Tech Research has noticed a correlation between choice of workplace model and the type of IT initiatives SMBs prioritize. For this reason, looking at some of the other questions we asked during the same survey may help IT service providers understand how hybrid workplaces are affecting the way SMBs use technology.
When we asked IT professionals at SMBs which of the following IT security areas they planned to invest in, the responses were as follows:
56% Endpoint/Device Security
49% Email Threat Defense
43% Identity and Access Management (IAM)
37% Cloud Application Security
33% Security Information Event Management (SIEM)
31% Extended Detection and Response (XDR)
11% Multicloud Defense
9% Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP)
5% Other
The staying power of hybrid workplace environments means that SMBs still need to support and protect remote working environments. The top three choices of IT security areas seem to reflect the need to secure both in-office and remote workers.
Key Takeaways:
Endpoint/Device security was the top choice at 56%, showing the importance of protecting the mobile devices remote workers need to use in hybrid work environments. Email Threat Defense came in second at 49%, reflecting the need for secure communication between in-office and remote workers. Identity and Access Management (IAM) ranked third at 43%. IAM is another technology that enables both remote and in-office workers to gain secure, authorized access to company resources.
SMBs chose Cybersecurity as the top area of investment at 63%, yet they feel confident about the security of remote computing solutions. When we asked if they felt solutions for remote computing were becoming more secure or less secure, IT professionals responded:
38% More secure
35% About the same
20% Less secure
7% Unsure/Other
When marketing to SMBs, IT service providers should keep in mind that, while cybersecurity is a priority, they are relatively satisfied with the security of the remote solutions used in hybrid work environments. Consequently, IT service firms may need to take a focused and targeted approach that emphasizes expertise in the top-ranking security investment areas:
Endpoint and Device Security
Email Threat Defense
IAM
SMBs may be continuing to use hybrid work environments because of the flexibility they create for employees who want to maintain a healthy work/life balance. IT service providers should note that, as long as hybrid workplaces are still around, SMBs will need to find technology solutions and services to support them.
At TSL Tech Research, we analyze the results of our online surveys to uncover valuable insights about the way companies are using technology. Our survey reports uncover key patterns and connections between responses that can be used to understand what SMBs are looking for in an IT solution and services partner.
We can help your IT services firm develop and run your own survey or help your SMB find the right technology partner to support your workplace model.
Looking to uncover insights into the technology trends that affect the way your IT service firm markets to potential customers? Reach out to TSL Tech Research to discuss creating your own survey.