A beta program is a phase in software development where a pre-release version of the software, known as beta, is made available to a select group of users outside the core development team. These users test the software in real-world scenarios, identify bugs, and provide feedback on usability, performance, and security. The main goal is to uncover issues that were not detected during internal testing, allowing developers to make improvements before the official release. In cybersecurity, beta programs are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses, ensuring the software is robust and secure upon launch.