Like application code, test code is code, so handle it as application code should be handled, for example:
- It needs to be secured, ideally by means of a source code management tool
- It needs to be maintained and as any new customer wish will result in a change of the application code, it will most likely also change the test code
- It needs to be debugged, whether you like it or not, as any coding done by a developer potentially inserts new bugs
- It needs to be reviewed to assure that, like application code, it meets the coding standards